How the USA censors Social Media

In the Vietnam War era and earlier, censorship was blatant. People could see that something had been redacted or blocked, often because texts or information had clear, visible gaps. But in today’s world of social media, censorship has evolved. It’s not only more concealed, but the very fact that something is censored is often hidden. This invisible censorship is profoundly shaping our society, particularly affecting creators, journalists, audiences, and the larger public sphere.

Over the last three years, Truthlytics has conducted extensive research across various media platforms, attempting to post a wide range of content to observe how strikes and bans are applied. What we have discovered is a clear pattern: whenever content goes against the political ideals or ideologies of a platform, censorship inevitably occurs. However, this censorship never directly states that a particular opinion is disallowed. Instead, it comes in the form of arbitrary content violations—unrelated strikes for things like “sexual content” or “alcohol use,” even when none of that exists in the content.

The platforms don’t aim to entirely remove this content either. What they often do is delay its visibility, suppressing posts for just long enough that they miss the crucial window when they might trend. Whether it’s a matter of days or weeks, these delays are enough to prevent critical information from gaining traction. By the time the article or post is visible again, the moment has passed, and it no longer holds the same relevance.

Another tactic these platforms employ is banning accounts that grow too large or influential. Once these voices—often representing opinions shared by large sections of the population—gain enough momentum, they are silenced, forcing creators and journalists to start from scratch. This keeps any dissenting opinions fragmented and weak, while the voices that align with government interests or the platform’s favored narrative are allowed to grow and be amplified.

Impact on Creators and Journalists

For content creators and journalists, the new wave of censorship comes with a deep frustration. They find themselves restricted or banned for reasons that seem arbitrary or completely unrelated to their content. Articles or videos can be flagged for “sexual content” when there is none, or they might receive strikes for “alcohol and tobacco” violations in posts that have nothing to do with either. Journalists who report on protests or political events may be silenced under the guise of violating community guidelines, even when their work is fact-based.

This hidden censorship creates uncertainty for creators. They no longer know which topics might lead to takedowns or bans, and it forces many to self-censor out of fear of being de-platformed. Journalists, particularly those covering controversial issues, face additional barriers in spreading vital information to the public. Over time, this dynamic discourages hard-hitting investigative journalism, leading to a more sanitized, less challenging media landscape.

Impact on the Audience

For the audience, this concealed censorship has a more subtle yet significant effect. When articles, videos, or posts are removed or flagged for dubious reasons, users aren’t always aware that information is being suppressed. Since social media platforms provide only vague explanations like “content violation,” the audience may assume the creator was at fault without knowing the true reason behind the strike. This fosters a false sense of security or trust in the platforms’ judgment.

Moreover, the lack of transparency creates echo chambers. When platforms silently suppress or remove certain viewpoints, audiences are only exposed to information that aligns with the platform’s or government’s acceptable narrative. This selective information feed results in a distorted view of reality, where users aren’t even aware of what they’re missing. The audience becomes passive consumers, with little power to question or understand what is happening behind the scenes.

Impact on Society

On a larger scale, the shift to secretive censorship poses a threat to democratic values. Open discourse is a foundational element of democracy, and when platforms or governments control what can be seen without the public knowing it, they erode trust in institutions and media. As public discourse becomes narrower, society becomes more polarized, with less room for constructive debate and critical thinking.

Additionally, the covert nature of censorship can contribute to the spread of misinformation. When content is flagged or removed without clear justification, it feeds conspiracy theories that social media platforms or governments are hiding something, even if the removed content was harmful or false. This lack of transparency undermines faith in legitimate content moderation efforts and blurs the line between harmful content regulation and censorship.