Abstract
In a geopolitical landscape increasingly shaped by digital infrastructures, the governance of global online platforms has become a crucial arena of power. This paper examines how linguistic and cultural hierarchies embedded in content moderation systems reproduce geopolitical inequalities, limiting the digital sovereignty of non-dominant communities. Building on an interpretive qualitative analysis of decisions issued by the Meta Oversight Board, the research employs textual and contextual examination of published case materials, complemented by descriptive and comparative insights from a broader dataset of content moderation outcomes. Through this mixed interpretive approach, the study identifies patterns of cultural misjudgment and linguistic bias that reveal structural asymmetries in platform governance. It argues that global platforms act as de facto transnational regulators whose standards (often grounded in English-language and Western cultural assumptions) shape the boundaries of public discourse and belonging. The paper introduces the concept of cultural competence as a framework for restoring equity and inclusivity in global digital governance. By promoting linguistic diversity and localized interpretive capacity, such competence constitutes an intervention to “strengthen humanity” within a fragmented geopolitical environment. The findings contribute to contemporary debates on digital democracy, platform accountability, and the governance of cultural difference.
Presenters
Réka Brigitta SzaniszlóAssistant Professor, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, International and Regional Studies Institute, University of Szeged, Hungary
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Community Diversity and Governance
KEYWORDS
Digital Sovereignty; Platform Governance; Content Moderation; Linguistic Justice; Cultural Competence
