When Censorship Stifles Innovation: My Experience with LinkedIn

Today, LinkedIn decided to censor one of my posts in a group about artificial intelligence because I discussed classical art and the reinterpretation of classical art, illustrating my points with an adaptation I made of a well-known Italian painting.

Once again, LinkedIn demonstrates that you cannot create an international social network for professionals if you don't understand what international, or even professional, means. Today, one can work in the field of art, remain professional, and yet not ignore the history of art and the work of our ancestors. In the age of artificial intelligence, it seems appropriate to understand that when discussing a classical work, which inevitably includes nudity because it was the mode of expression of the time, it is not a perversion of the social network nor an attempt to corrupt its members. It is rather a means to educate.

It is regrettable to see that American startups, in particular, but also startups in general, are no longer spaces of freedom but have become the new standards, the new ISOs, and the new barriers to disruption. What really makes me wonder is the true disruption of startups today. After more than 20 years of experience, I can finally have a clear view on what the project of using the Internet to change the world was, and what the result is today. The result is disheartening. We don't need to go back 20 years, even 10 years is enough to see that the attempts to create new social networks have failed. Today, social networks have become the new Google and the new search engines.

We see a globalization of American-style censorship, similar to that of 25 years ago. When the Internet was born, and entrepreneurs began experimenting, there were far fewer rules and much less timidity. Twitter, now called X, is an example of a disruptive social network where one can still publish almost anything without being censored. This rarity of freedom of expression has become alarming.

Imagine paying for storage spaces where the provider checks the content you are storing. This is a problem, especially when we criticize nations like China for their strict control of platforms. What kind of freedom exists on TikTok, where a type of content is banned and users must use hidden words or modify words to avoid censorship? The same goes for Twitch and other platforms.

We have sold our freedom of expression for very little. LinkedIn, one of the oldest social networks, still doesn't understand that one can be professional and talk about art, even by showing images of artistic nudity. It is incomprehensible that no one at LinkedIn sees this as a problem. We should not create social networks where displaying classical Italian paintings is impossible because skin cannot be shown. We are no longer in the Age of Enlightenment, but in an age of obscurantism and puritanism. There are many people in the United States who regret this lack of freedom and intellectual diversity.

I wonder how we can go back to the years 2002-2003 when it was still the Wild West and it was possible to dream of creating collaborative spaces without censorship. Look at Adobe: many tools can no longer be used if the image does not comply with their policy. This is a grave violation of creative freedom. Thanks to the subscription system, which has become the norm, we are no longer owners of the software we use. We must accept not only the rules but also the cultural, sociological, and ethical vision of the company providing the software.

Today, one cannot work on fashion or artistic images with Photoshop without the platform exercising oversight. It is a choice between the alienation of a subscription or total freedom. Fortunately, there is an open-source offer in artificial intelligence that allows us to work without limits. It is enticing to be able to use these free and uncensored tools.

In the midst of increasing censorship on various platforms, Twitter, now known as X, stands out as a rare exception. Despite its challenges with content moderation, Twitter remains a bastion of free speech where users can publish almost anything without fear of censorship. This freedom is becoming increasingly rare in today's digital landscape. While controversial, Twitter's approach allows for a diversity of voices and opinions, making it the last public space where unrestricted expression thrives. It's a stark contrast to other platforms that impose stringent content restrictions, and it highlights the importance of preserving spaces where genuine dialogue and innovation can occur.

To return to my main point, LinkedIn poses a major problem by restricting freedoms. In 2024, it is unacceptable to restrict our freedoms. We all experienced restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, an intellectual straitjacket is being imposed on us. We must not talk about certain subjects, show certain things, or do different things to ensure everyone fits into the same mold. We are not all clones. It is crucial to revolutionize moderation to protect youth, while finding a balance with the freedom that allows us to innovate and be different. Because today unfortunately the tools of our freedom 20 years ago have become the tools of alienation, and that is a serious matter.