Meaning of algospeak | Babel Free

Definitions

A form of cant intended to evade social media content filters.

neologism, uncountable

Examples

“Black and trans users, and those from other marginalized communities, often use⟳ algospeak to discuss⟳ the oppression they face⟳, swapping out words for “white” or “racist.””

“By recognizing that keywords can be used to filter content, internet users have⟳ resorted to algospeak, the consensual substitution of censored terms with uncensored terms in order⟳ to evade censorship (Lorenz, 2022).”

“If you’ve noticed the use⟳ of newly invented words cropping up on digital platforms or words used out of context or misspelled, it’s not a new kind of social media slang—it’s algospeak.”

“A new vocabulary — a little fun, a little dystopian — has emerged on the social video platform, as creators try⟳ to get⟳ around algorithms and strict content moderation. They call⟳ it algospeak. […] Alessandro Bogliari, the chief executive of the Influencer Marketing Factory, said the moderation systems are clever but can make⟳ mistakes, which is why many of the influencers his company hires for marketing campaigns use⟳ algospeak.”

“Typically, such codes have⟳ been employed by small groups. Given the reach⟳ of social media, however, algospeak has the potential to more broadly influence⟳ everyday language.”

CEFR level