Custodians of the Internet

“Fake news” and live-streamed violence on social media platforms have ignited a debate about how to police user‑posted content. The tools used to curtail trolling, ban hate speech, and censor pornography can also silence the speech we need to hear. In this revealing investigation, award‑winning sociologist Tarleton Gillespie provides an overview of current social media practices and explains the underlying rationales for how, when, and why these policies are enforced.