What is Decentralized Moderation? Explaining the New Feature of the Web3 Social Network Developed by Pi Network

This time, I would like to introduce Decentralized Moderation, a new feature of Fireside Forum, a Web3 social network developed by Pi Network.

Decentralized Moderation is a mechanism that promotes content moderation by the community using Pi’s cryptocurrency. The purpose of this mechanism is to achieve high-quality content, truthfulness, constructive conversations, responsibility, and healthy online social relationships in a Web3 social network.

Features of Decentralized Moderation

The features of Decentralized Moderation are as follows:

• Unique Hierarchical Moderation Levels: Token-based incentives and disincentives are set according to each level of responsibility.
• Moderator Selection and Evaluation: Users can choose their trusted moderators, and moderators are evaluated based on their actions.
• Moderation Transparency and Visibility: Moderation history and statistics are recorded on the blockchain and made public.
• Moderation Appeals and Resolution: Users can appeal moderation decisions regarding their content, and moderators can respond to those appeals.

Mechanism of Decentralized Moderation

The mechanism of Decentralized Moderation functions as follows:

1. Users can flag content they have posted or content posted by other users to indicate the need for moderation.
2. Flagged content is reviewed by users called moderators. Moderators determine whether the content violates Fireside Forum’s guidelines and take appropriate action. Actions include deleting content, warning users, or blocking users.
3. Moderators can stake Pi cryptocurrency on their decisions. This encourages moderators to make confident decisions. Moderators can also agree with or dispute the decisions of other moderators. This promotes consensus among moderators.
4. Moderator decisions are recorded on the blockchain and made public. This enhances the transparency and visibility of moderation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Decentralized Moderation

The advantages and disadvantages of Decentralized Moderation are summarized below.

Advantages

• Increased Community Autonomy and Participation: Users can choose their trusted moderators and take responsibility for content quality and guideline compliance. Moderators can also earn incentives by staking tokens on their decisions.
• Content Diversity and Creativity are Preserved: Since moderation standards are determined by the community, free expression and speech are possible without unilateral censorship or regulation. Also, since moderation results are recorded on the blockchain, transparency is high, preventing fraud and unfair processing.
• An Ecosystem Aligned with Web3.0 Principles is Formed: Decentralized Moderation is a foundational design that utilizes Web3.0 technologies such as blockchain and tokens to autonomously maintain the content ecosystem. This enables a decentralized and democratic social network that does not rely on centralized platforms.

Disadvantages

• Insufficient Legal Framework: Decentralized Moderation uses new technologies such as blockchain and tokens, so legal regulations and protections may not be fully established. For example, if issues such as copyright or privacy infringement, hate speech, or illegal activities occur, it may not be clear how to handle them.
• Moderation Quality and Consistency are Not Guaranteed: Moderation is performed by moderators chosen by users, so its quality and consistency depend on the ability and reliability of the moderators. For example, moderators may make inappropriate decisions, engage in fraudulent behavior, or fail to participate in moderation. Also, since moderation standards differ among communities, different moderation results may occur for the same content.
• Moderation Speed and Efficiency May Decrease: Moderation involves a process where users flag content, moderators make decisions, appeals are made, and responses are given, which can take time. For example, if many moderation-related disputes arise, their resolution may take a long time. Also, since staking tokens is required for moderation, user participation willingness and motivation may decrease.

Summary

We introduced Decentralized Moderation as a new feature of Fireside Forum, a Web3 social network developed by Pi Network. This mechanism aims to form an ecosystem aligned with Web3.0 principles by promoting content moderation by the community using Pi’s cryptocurrency. However, this mechanism also has challenges such as the legal framework, moderation quality and consistency, and speed and efficiency. To solve these challenges, community cooperation and technological advancement are necessary.