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It seems that part of the solution here is to require meatspace authentication.

Here's a thought experiment:

Imagine you are a global platform which needs to deal with inappropriate behavior (posting of copyrighted materials, etc.)

Flagging content requires a verified account, where you must authenticate your meatspace identity: a small monthly payment via a traceable payment mechanism; a text to your phone number; a postal address verified by sending you a postcard; a photo of your government-issued ID; and webcam photo of yourself.

None of this information is for public exposure! It merely ties your account to you, as a person, as tightly as possible. Nor is it required to use the service -- only to engage with the moderation system.

All of these can be automated from the side of the service provider.

For companies:

If you are working on behalf of a company, your company membership requires similar verification. You are also limited to flagging only IP-related issues raised by your organization (copyright infringement, etc.)

For individuals:

You must be endorsed by three other verified users.

False flags beyond a certain threshold will erode the weight of your flags, up to the point where your the moderation system will outright ignore you, with a periodic (automated) review to see whether or not your flagging behavior has improved.

Endorsing a certain number of false-flaggers will also cause your account to silently lose the ability to flag.

This mimics real-world behavioral modification for groups of people.

Thoughts? Where does this go wrong?



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