Digital Platform Policy Highlights - Digest 17
Q3 2023 Edition: This post outlines how digital platforms change their policies to remove an unacceptable behavior from the platforms' or the regulators' perspective, to protect the platform.
This post is part five of a series documenting policy changes and feature improvements introduced by platforms in Q3 2023. A lot of interesting changes related to platforms strict behavior on mitigating negative behaviors on the platforms.
TL;DR →Policy changes to curb bad behaviors on the platforms:
Policy Changes to Safeguard Against Unacceptable Behavior: Corporate Self-Protection Strategies
Reddit threatens to remove mods of private subreddits over API protest
Reddit takes over r/malefashionadvice after moderators protest
Netflix extends password sharing ban to India and other markets
In Summer 2023, there were a few policy changes to curb bad behaviors on the platforms
YouTube requires fan accounts to state their status clearly
Impersonation has recently become a blurred line, with individuals taking videos from authentic creators, profiting from them, and falsely labeling it as affiliate marketing to escape legal issues. YouTube has updated its impersonation policy to require fan accounts to indicate their status in their channel name or handle. The new policy aims to prevent users from confusing a content creator with a fan account, while making it easier for moderators to crack down on outright impersonators. It is of great interest to me to understand whether YouTube will explicitly rely on users reporting impersonation or will use AI to detect impersonation. (link)
YouTube cracks down on videos promoting ‘ineffective’ cancer treatments
While the primary intent of YouTube content was to offer non-realistic advice for entertainment purposes, some viewers may interpret the content as genuine. YouTube will now remove content that promotes “harmful or ineffective” cancer treatments or discourages viewers from getting professional medical treatment. In the world of algorithmic amplification, this policy by YouTube raises a crucial question: should users still have complete independence to decide the “value” of a video, or are stringent policies on platforms necessary to safeguard users? (link)
Xbox launches new strike-system to penalize bad behavior
Merely one-third of one percent—of instances involving inappropriate conduct result in genuine legal complications. Hence, Xbox is implementing a new system that assigns strikes to players who violate its community standards. The number and duration of strikes depend on the severity of the violation. Players who receive eight strikes will be suspended from Xbox’s social features for a year. This policy replaces its outright banning policy, which was not very transparent in implementation. Such policies are in response to Xbox’s reputation for having a toxic and profane community. (link)
During Summer 2023, platforms attempted to shield themselves from generally benign yet unacceptable behaviors that harm corporate interests.
Reddit threatens to remove mods of private subreddits over API protest
The protest of Private subreddits over API restriction is not bad behavior but simply a behavior Reddit cannot tolerate. Reddit threatened moderators of some private subreddits that they would lose their mod status if they did not reopen their communities. The subreddits are protesting Reddit’s changes to its API that limit third-party apps and bots. The policy change is bound to further aggravate users, but unless those users begin to leave the platform in droves, Reddit is unlikely to change course. Reddit would justify such mod removals as necessary to maintain the security and integrity of the platform. (link)
Reddit takes over r/malefashionadvice after moderators protest
Reddit re-opened the community that has over 5 million subscribers by removing the moderators. The moderators had taken the subreddit private to protest Reddit’s API pricing changes. In response to the removal, the former moderators have urged users to join the community’s Discord server. As of November 2023, the server has only about 12,000 members, a far cry from the over 5 million subscribers on the subreddit. The attempt to change to a new platform is intriguing. If most users remain on the Reddit platform, Reddit’s approach to monetization and the subsequent “heavy handed” handling of user dissent appear to align with the theory of network effects. (link)
YouTube starts blocking videos for adblock users
While tools like Adblock, Adkiller Plus, and Adguard aid in ad removal, such practices are not condoned by YouTube. YouTube is now running a global experiment that warns users with ad blockers to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium. Users who ignore the warnings will be blocked from watching more than three videos. With few feasible alternatives for watching long-form videos, users may have no way to dodge the ad-block crackdown. Would users willingly alter their habits and shift to premium, or would this potentially lead to a backlash that causes a decline in YouTube usage? (link)
Netflix extends password sharing ban to India and other markets
The days of unlimited growth (at the cost of violating the terms of service, such as sharing passwords) have passed at Netflix, as the streaming service has announced that it will crack down on password sharing in India, Kenya, Indonesia, and a few other countries. This follows a similar move by Netflix in the US, after having experimented with other ways of monetizing from password sharing. Netflix’s strict execution of bans in the US seems successful: the number of new sign-ups has exceeded the number of cancelations. However, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will be equally effective in other markets, especially in emerging economies, which may have inexpensive alternatives (link)
Disney+ Hotstar to limit password sharing in India
Another instance in which another streaming platform has acknowledged its rights to eliminate password sharing to deter revenue losses. Disney+ Hotstar, a leading streaming service in India, plans to enforce a policy of allowing its premium users to login from only four devices, instead of the current 10. Disney is clearly following Netflix’s footsteps here, as the latter has restricted password sharing, to great financial success. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is uncertain, given that the platform has lost the media rights for BCCI cricket matches, which are a major source of viewership and engagement, to a rival platform. (link)
This is the fifth part of a multi-part post. You can find part one, part two, part three and part four here. If you know someone who enjoys these kinds of posts, please share it with them :)
Research help from Anantesh Mohapatra and John Mai (Thanks a ton, folks!)