New World Notes: Tumblr Algorithm Tagging Virtual Lesbian Images as "NSFW" -- But Virtual Female Nipples Apparently OK

Monday, December 03, 2018

Tumblr Algorithm Tagging Virtual Lesbian Images as "NSFW" -- But Virtual Female Nipples Apparently OK

SL pics Tumblr female presenting nipple virtual

When NWN correspondent Cassie Middles got word that Tumblr is planning to censor pornographic and nude images as of December 17th, she dusted off her old Tumblr account to see which of her images had already been flagged. (As The Verge reports, "Tumblr is emailing users who have posted adult content flagged by algorithms and notifying them that their content will soon be hidden from view.")

Oddly enough, she found what you see above -- a Second Life-based image of two non-nude women avatars embracing was tagged as NSFW... while a screenshot of a nude avatar with a "female-presenting nipple" (as Tumblr's widely-derided wording puts it) was left untagged. The double standard seems so blatant, it leaves you to wonder if Tumblr's algorithm is biased against gay imagery. (Would the same image of similarly clothed, embracing male and female avatars get hit?)

That's certainly possible, but the likeliest answer is this is just the latest example of a general rule: Despite much marketing hype about "machine learning" and "AI", computer-driven algorithms are pretty stupid.

As some have suggested, Tumblr's algorithm probably flags excessive amounts of female skin as NSFW, but has difficulty dealing with images where body parts are in shadows. (Be that part a bravely Northward nipple.) And since Tumblr currently has over 500 million monthly pageviews, expect many similar false positives like this -- and rising anger, and user revolt, as the NSFW keep hitting the wrong targets.

In any case, if you're a Tumblr user and you notice odd use of the NSFW tag, please post links in Comments!

Posted on Monday, December 03, 2018 at 04:01 PM in New World Culture | Permalink

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