💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship - June Batch Starts
Talk To Mentor

Civilsdaily

Q.2) “Reactive content moderation efforts are simply inadequate without a serious review of the business model that underpins much of the drivers of disinformation and misinformation on the social media platforms.” Critically examine. (10 marks)

Written by

Swatantra

in

“Mentor’s Comments”

  • https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/human-rights-supreme-court-of-india-free-speech-unhrc-7350022/
  • In the intro, mention the UNHRC report ‘‘Disinformation and Freedom of Opinion and Expression”.
  • In the body, discuss the threat posed by social media in the form of misinformation and disinformation. Next, mention how these issues stem from the business models of these social media companies and mention the need for a review of the business model. However, the issue of use of the same methods by the governments for their propaganda purposed complicates the issues.
  • Conclude by mentioning that strategies to curb disinformation will work only if these underlying factors are tracked.

Comments

35 responses to “Q.2) “Reactive content moderation efforts are simply inadequate without a serious review of the business model that underpins much of the drivers of disinformation and misinformation on the social media platforms.” Critically examine. (10 marks)”

  1. Anupam Singh Avatar
    Anupam Singh

    Refid# 422544

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Anupam

      You have written some of the points but I think some parts are missing too. Expand some of these points.
      Introduction is okay, in the body first differentiate between misinformation and disinformation, then write how these things are harming us- “politically polarising, hinders people from meaningfully exercising their human rights, and destroys their trust in governments and institutions”.

      Then write how do these social media models work- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc. Add government’s role (they also use it as a tool to spread their narratives irrespective of truth)

      Then you can writes about strategies-long term, short term etc. In long term we need to rework these business models.These points you have written. Go through the article thoroughly once.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  2. ankita thakur Avatar
    ankita thakur

    Payment id-HJHAZEWKSzM3CX

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Ankita

      You have written some of the points and missed some; threats etc you have written but write about business model of the companies which enable this misinformation and disinformation. Talk about do these social media models work- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Then write what has been the approach to correct this till now- reactive content moderation, give examples like internet clampdown in Kashmir, forcing whatsapp to trace messages etc. You will have to explain a bit, you have just written keyword and moved on.

      Finally , you can say that we need to rework these business models without which progress is difficult.

      You have written a decent answer but use some examples etc to simplify things. Keep writing. 🙂

  3. Harshaa Sharma Avatar
    Harshaa Sharma

    Idpay_HJ2s89guguFYwg@swatantra

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Harshaa

      You have written everything except about how social media themselves are responsible for such conditions. The main demand of the question is that only.

      It says that we need to re evaluate the business models on which social media work and improve them, then only we can get rid of the host of problems it has created.

      So basic 3 demands of the question- what are the threats social media is posing, how are business models enhancing these threats and how do we get rid of them.

      You have addressed the 1st demand, but the other two are missing.

      On how social media business models work, you can expand on these points- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  4. deepika annamalai Avatar
    deepika annamalai

    Please review.. payment ID – HIWaoP4yYMjmlq

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Deepika

      You have written everything except about how social media themselves are responsible for such conditions. The main demand of the question is that only.

      It says that we need to re evaluate the business models on which social media work and improve them, then only we can get rid of the host of problems it has created.

      So basic 3 demands of the question- what are the threats social media is posing, how are business models enhancing these threats and how do we get rid of them.

      You have written the 1st part about threats comprehensively but other two parts are missing.

      Try to read the question multiple times in such questions and understand what they are asking. Pay special attention to keywords, that is the way we can improve.

      On how social media business models work, you can expand on these points- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing. 🙂

  5. SUMITA DOWERAH Avatar
    SUMITA DOWERAH

    Payment Id: pay HFrdyJMOEZ9967. Please review, Sir.

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Sumita

      You have understood what the question is asking, that is good. A bit on how social media business models work would have really boosted this answer. However, you have made a decent attempt.

      On how social media business models work, you can expand on these points- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Try to give a way forward in such questions. Rest of the answer is good.

      Keep writing. 🙂

  6. Utkarsha Yadav Avatar
    Utkarsha Yadav

    Please review
    Payment Id pay_HHWzC2O9xhkaqA

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Utkarsha

      You have addressed most parts of the question well, use of graph is also very good. Introduction and conclusion are good, try writing a way forward separately in such questions if possible.

      However, there is one problem in the answer- you have addressed what the problems are and how dangerous the problem is, but you have missed writing how social media business models are themselves causing these problems.

      On how social media business models work, you can expand on these points- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Rest all points you have written well. Keep writing. 🙂

  7. Kartikey Singh Avatar
    Kartikey Singh

    pay_HHogiMPYpQ87sC

    1. Kartikey Singh Avatar
      Kartikey Singh

      –

    2. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Kartikey

      You have put beautifully how social media business models are responsible for the issues plaguing us, but write a bit about the issues first(at least 2-3 lines).

      Differentiate between misinformation and disinformation, then write how these things are harming us- politically polarising, hinders people from meaningfully exercising their human rights, and destroys their trust in governments and institutions.

      You have mentioned about government’s reactionary clampdown – that’s good. Try to mention a short way forward also- it will complete the answer holistically.

      Good attempt. Keep writing. 🙂

  8. Mradul sharma Avatar
    Mradul sharma

    id- #0000422539.

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Mradul

      You have addressed all the points, good answer. You can diversify on the faults in social media business model by adding some more points, otherwise the answer is complete.

      Lack of same standards everywhere, lack of transparency, no proper grievance redressal- some of these points you can add.

      You are writing good answers, keep it up 🙂

  9. Dr. House Avatar
    Dr. House

    REF ID: #0000425733
    Please review @Swatantra Sir

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Dr House

      You have addressed most parts of the question well. Mention that government’s solution to this problem has been reactionary such as internet shutdown in Kashmir, forcing Whatsapp to mend rules to trace messages etc (which is not sufficient) and then give a short way forward in the end.

      You can write the threats in the starting only after introduction and then proceed to write how faulty social media business models are enhancing these threats.

      On how social media business models work, you can add some of these points too- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Nice attempt, keep writing. 🙂

  10. AABHA RANI Avatar
    AABHA RANI

    Razor payment id- HHOoNABVzCCLcD

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Aabha

      You have written some of the points and missed some; threats etc you have written but write about business model of the companies which enable this misinformation and disinformation. Talk about do these social media models work- clickbaits and views, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country etc.

      Then write what has been the approach to correct this till now- reactive content moderation, give examples like internet clampdown in Kashmir, forcing whatsapp to trace messages etc.

      Finally , you can say that we need to rework these business models without which progress is difficult.

      You have written good points about threats and the issues we are facing.

      Read the question and mark the keywords, it will keep reminding you of what all to write.

      Keep writing. 🙂

  11. shubham yadav Avatar
    shubham yadav

    Please review it sir
    Pay Id- pay_HHhwlNw9vfR4HH

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Shubham

      You have mentioned that certain solutions are not working, you have also mentioned we need to find different solutions with examples but what the problem is you have not mentioned.

      Talk about present faulty business models of social media and how that is the root cause of the problem which we need to address.

      On how social media business models work, you can use these points- clickbaits and views-based model, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country, lack of transparency, no proper grievance redressal etc

      Rest of the answer is good. Keep writing. 🙂

  12. Arpit Singh Avatar
    Arpit Singh

    Payment id HHU8LODcXby9Db

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Arpit

      You have written well but in causes you have mentioned general causes that is causing this misinformation-disinformation issues.

      Write about how social media business models themselves causing such issues. And hence we need to re evaluate them, the question is about that.

      On how social media business models work, you can use these points- clickbaits and views-based model, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country, lack of transparency, no proper grievance redressal etc

      You have mentioned some of the solutions of these very problems in way forward, that is good. Keep practicing. 🙂

      3.5/10

  13. Sana Nawazish Avatar
    Sana Nawazish

    ID-HJjQFLvck5DhqQ
    Please review
    @Swatantra

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Sana

      You have written well. Addressed most parts of the question.

      You can add some points about business models of the social media as that is the core concern of the question such as clickbaits and views-based model, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors etc. Some of the points you have mentioned, they are good.

      Also try to write a way forward in such questions. Mention some ways in what the business models can be made better.

      Also you can keep the conclusion short, not a question about government so no need to write that much, instead you can give examples of reactive policies in the beginning only such as internet ban in Kashmir, asking Whatsapp to trace messages etc.

      Nice attempt, keep writing. 🙂

      4.5/10

  14. shivanshu pandey Avatar
    shivanshu pandey

    pay_HH4AoVE2qPd386

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Shivanshu

      It’s good that you are using flowcharts and diagrams but don’t overdo it. Make it orderly, making it in a haphazard way serves no purpose. Also, try to write full sentences if there is no issue of space or time, otherwise you can avoid.

      Write about the threats of misinformation and disinformation- politically polarising, hinders people from meaningfully exercising their human rights, and destroys their trust in governments and institutions.

      I don’t think analysis of steps taken is required here, better write more points about faulty business models such as clickbaits and views-based model, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors, not same standards across every country, lack of transparency, no proper grievance redressal etc

      Also you can write a way forward in such questions.

      Keep writing. 🙂

  15. Vivek H Avatar
    Vivek H

    Payment Id : 115213946268

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Vivek

      You have written about misinformation and disinformation, that is good, next mention in brief about the threats posed by them- politically polarising, hinders people from meaningfully exercising their human rights, and destroys their trust in governments and institutions.

      Also explain in some detail about what is wrong with current social media business models as that is a core concern of the question. You can mention- clickbaits and views-based model, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors etc. Also rest of the points mentioned by you are good.

      Try to write a short way forward, always advisable in Gs2,3 questions.

      Read some other answers. Keep writing.

  16. Vishnu Agrawal Avatar
    Vishnu Agrawal

    Order id: 0000422561
    @swatantra sir please review. Sorry for late uploading.

    1. Swatantra Avatar
      Swatantra

      Vishnu

      You can structure the answer better, mention about the threats after writing about misinformation and disinformation only, then move to faults in the business model, then mention some reactive steps taken by government such as ban of internet in Kashmir, asking Whatsapp to trace users post-facto, then mention a way forward and then conclude.

      Also explain in some detail about what is wrong with current social media business models as that is a core concern of the question. You can mention- clickbaits and views-based model, reinforces biased view, creates an echo chamber, aids in spreading rumors etc. Also rest of the points mentioned by you are good. You can add these points on that.

      Overall, nice attempt. Just need to present better. Keep writing. 🙂

  17. Ashu Avatar
    Ashu

    0000425185
    Please review

    1. Ashu Avatar
      Ashu

      @Swatantra sorry for the late uploading Sir 🙏🏻

Leave a Reply

More posts