Decision Quality and Errors in Content Moderation

Abstract

In certain instances, algorithmic content moderation by online platforms is a process with binary outcomes: those that are “right” and those that are “wrong”. And, in a copyright content moderation context, this binary nature, in principle, holds true: the ultimate question is simply, “Is this content illegal?” However, some content moderation decisions are more straightforward than others that require more robust assessment, whether by domain experts, or even the courts. This article explores the relationship between errors in content moderation decision-making and decision quality, as well as how errors are addressed in the Digital Services Act and the Directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market.