The practice in question involves limiting the visibility of a user’s content on the Facebook platform without notifying the user that their reach has been restricted. This can manifest as reduced appearances in news feeds, search results, or other areas where content is displayed. For instance, a post may not be shown to all of a user’s followers, or their profile might be less likely to appear in search results when other users look for it.
The significance of such content suppression lies in its potential impact on free speech and the dissemination of information. The benefits claimed by those who implement these measures typically center on mitigating the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content. Historically, the use of such techniques has been debated in relation to platforms’ responsibility to both uphold freedom of expression and ensure a safe and informative environment for users.
