In a recent case, the court concluded that merely liking an obscene video is not a crime.[1] In the digital world, numbers decide everything. Perhaps the judges were unaware of how the algorithm engine works. The algorithms that run digital platforms are designed to keep users hooked. These technical engines play a major role in the spread of obscene or indecent content. It is essential to understand the various aspects of how these algorithms function.
6.1 The Engagement Trap: Prioritizing Shocking Content
The primary goal of algorithms is to keep users engaged on the platform for as long as possible. From a psychological perspective, the human brain is more quickly attracted to shocking, provocative, or stimulating things than to calm ones. When content is obscene or controversial, people spend more time on it, liking, commenting, reacting, or sharing it. The algorithm sees this as ‘engagement’ and assumes the content is high-quality. As a result, it prioritizes such content and pushes it into the feeds of as many people as possible. This is a trap where clicks and views are valued over ethics and quality.[2] This is why obscene and vulgar things go viral faster than good information, as they help increase the platform’s profits.
6.2 The Recommendation Cycle: A Flood of Content from One Click
Algorithms constantly track users’ preferences. If a user accidentally or out of curiosity clicks on an obscene photo or video, the algorithm interprets it as ‘interest’ in that topic. Afterward, a flood of similar obscene content appears in the user’s feed. This is called the ‘recommendation engine’. This cycle is so effective that even if the user does not want it, obscene suggestions keep appearing repeatedly. This technique traps the user in a specific frame, making it difficult to escape. What starts as seemingly ordinary gradually leads the user toward darker and more extreme obscene content, completely polluting their digital environment.[3]
6.3 Shadowbanning vs Promotion: The Invisible Aspect of Visibility
Platforms have two secret weapons for controlling content: ‘shadowbanning’ and ‘promotion’. Often, instead of openly removing content that violates rules, platforms reduce its reach, known as shadowbanning. However, a contradiction is observed with obscene material. Many times, ‘semi-nude’ or provocative content receives more promotion because it drives more traffic to the platform. Since this policy is not very transparent, the algorithm has full authority over what content to show people and what to hide. When platforms think only of profit, they turn a blind eye to the visibility of obscene content, benefiting creators who spread such material and putting social morality at risk.[4] That is why I repeatedly say that until platforms are declared criminally liable for obscene content and appropriate financial penalties are imposed, these companies will not improve their algorithms. YouTube has technology to check videos for copyright when they are uploaded; similarly, technology for checking obscene and intimate content can also be developed. Social media companies do not do this because they only want to earn money. If these foreign companies continue doing business in our country in their arbitrary ways, this country will once again head toward slavery.
6.4 Notification Warfare: Compelling Repeated Viewing
Notifications are used like warfare to distract users’ attention and pull them back to the platform. When a new obscene video or provocative post is uploaded, the algorithm constantly sends ‘pings’ to attract the user toward it. These notifications are not just for information; they are designed to awaken curiosity in the user’s brain. Messages like “Someone viewed your post” or “A new video of your interest has arrived” force the user to repeatedly return to the digital world. This 24/7 notification cycle keeps the user in constant contact with obscene content, reducing their ability to think and turning them into a slave of this virtual addiction.[5] For this, notification settings should be changeable, but very few people know how. Digital literacy programs should be conducted for this.
6.5 Rabbit Hole: The Journey Toward Extreme Content
‘Rabbit hole’ refers to a journey where a user starts with something simple and, due to algorithm recommendations, reaches extremely extreme or perverted content.[6] In the case of obscenity, this is highly dangerous. A user who initially views only glamorous images is gradually pushed under algorithmic pressure toward violent, illegal, or highly perverted sexual content. To keep the user more stimulated, platforms suggest slightly more extreme content each time than before. This journey feels so gradual and natural that the user remains unaware of how deep into the quagmire they have sunk. Due to this rabbit hole, perversion develops in people’s mindsets, endangering their real-life behavior as well.
[1] “Liking a post not same as sharing it: Allahabad High Court” Madhyamamonline, Dt. 21.4.2025, available at: https://madhyamamonline.com/india/liking-a-post-not-same-as-sharing-it-allahabad-high-court-1401375, last visited on 6.12.2025
[2] Ori Tenenboim, “Comments, Shares, or Likes: What Makes News Posts Engaging in Different Ways”, Sage, available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/20563051221130282, last visited on 6.12.2025
[3] Peter Abiya, “What to Do If You Think You’ve Clicked or Interacted with Something Malicious”, Se Cybersafe, available at: https://secybersafe.com/blog/2024/10/07/what-to-do-if-you-think-youve-clicked-or-interacted-with-something-malicious/, last visited on 6.12.2025
[4] Carlos Diaz Ruiz, “Disinformation on digital media platforms: A market-shaping approach”, New Media & Society, Volume 27, Issue 4, April 2025, Pages 2188-2211
[5] “Curbing of Obscenity and Vulgarity on Social Media Networks”, PIB, Dt. 9.12.2022, available at: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1882056®=3&lang=2, last visited on 6.12.2025
[6] Adam Powell, “What Is a Rabbit Hole on the Internet?”, Aeanet, Dt. 12.11.2025, available at: https://www.aeanet.org/what-is-a-rabbit-hole-on-the-internet/, last visited on 6.12.2025
Purchase my e-book “Digital Darkness” choose your language.
Instead of doom-scrolling on mobile, just start reading good books. You can opt an option of e-books to save paper.
