.supriyadwivedi: The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial provides lessons in tackling harmful content on social media via torontostar
as sensationalist celebrity fodder, but that would be a mistake. The verdict itself has profoundly chilling implications for free speech, while the overall “memeification” of the trial revealed a lot about ourselves as a society.
The vast majority of the viral content on platforms like YouTube and TikTok were fervently pro-Depp. As, a “wide variety” of content creators quickly pivoted to posting content about the trial as a way to increase their engagement, and ultimately, their earnings. The only way to adequately deal with online harms is to focus on preventative measures that minimize the reach of harmful content to begin with. Yet much of the discourse surrounding online harms in this country has focused on content removal once it has already been posted, and its impact on free speech. Luckily, we know there is a better way, both in terms of getting at the root of the issue and preserving free speech.
Currently, platforms keep their algorithmic data hidden inside a veritable black box, and do not have to consider anything other than their own bottom line when it comes to how their systems are designed. All other consumer-facing products have to consider the risk of their products, and then demonstrate that steps have been taken to mitigate those risks. Social media platforms have been largely exempt from this, which makes no sense.