Professional paper

Insights into Algospeak and Sensitive Language on TikTok

Mara Ruža Blažević orcid.org/0000-0002-6068-0445 ; Sveučilište u Splitu, Filozofski fakultet u Splitu
Tania Žuvela Blažević ; Sveučilište u Splitu, Pravni fakultet

Abstract

Algospeak, as a “sub-language” of Netspeak, refers to online language
practices wherein offensive words are modified or coded by its “speakers” to bypass
content moderation on social media sites, especially TikTok. In its Community Guidelines,
the aforementioned social media network claims it does not flag or remove graphic content
if it serves an educational purpose or adheres to the documentary format. In spite of these
declarations, this paper proves that verified accounts, namely major English-speaking
news outlets, engage in self-imposed linguistic censorship to a noticeably lesser degree
when referencing violent crimes than their unverified counterparts, specifically users
devoted to posting true-crime videos. The latter, thusly, utilise Algospeak more frequently
and in more cryptic ways.

Keywords

Algospeak, TikTok, content moderation, news, true crime

Hrčak ID:

333824

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/333824

Publication date:

18.7.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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