Platform Freedom Rankings
Comprehensive analysis of social media platforms based on freedom of expression, censorship levels, and transparency. Data compiled from multiple sources including academic research, user reports, and platform policies.
Methodology: Rankings are based on documented cases of censorship, platform transparency reports, academic research, and user testimonials. Scores are updated regularly as new information becomes available. Last updated: January 2024.
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✈️
Telegram
messaging
low censorship
9/10
Freedom Score
8/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
rare
Appeal Process:
excellent
Users: 800M+ monthly active users
HQ: Dubai, UAE
- Minimal moderation may allow illegal content
- Encryption makes content monitoring difficult
🐸
Gab
alternative
low censorship
9/10
Freedom Score
6/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
rare
Appeal Process:
good
Users: 15M+ registered users
HQ: Pennsylvania, USA
- Association with controversial content
- Limited mainstream adoption
- App store restrictions
🎬
Rumble
alternative
low censorship
8/10
Freedom Score
7/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
rare
Appeal Process:
good
Users: 50M+ monthly active users
HQ: Toronto, Canada
- Limited content moderation may allow harmful content
- Smaller user base limits reach
- Less sophisticated recommendation algorithm
📝
Substack
publishing
low censorship
8/10
Freedom Score
8/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
rare
Appeal Process:
excellent
Users: 35M+ monthly active users
HQ: San Francisco, USA
- Limited discovery mechanisms
- Subscription-based model limits reach
👥
MeWe
alternative
low censorship
8/10
Freedom Score
7/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
rare
Appeal Process:
good
Users: 20M+ registered users
HQ: Los Angeles, USA
- Smaller user base
- Limited features compared to mainstream platforms
𝕏
X (Twitter)
mainstream
moderate censorship
6/10
Freedom Score
5/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
frequent
Appeal Process:
fair
Users: 500M+ monthly active users
HQ: San Francisco, USA
- Algorithmic suppression of certain viewpoints
- Inconsistent enforcement of community guidelines
- Limited transparency in content moderation decisions
- Shadow banning allegations from various political perspectives
▶️
YouTube
video
high censorship
5/10
Freedom Score
7/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
frequent
Appeal Process:
good
Users: 2.7B+ monthly active users
HQ: San Bruno, USA
- Aggressive demonetization policies
- Age-restriction used as soft censorship
- Algorithm suppression of controversial topics
- Inconsistent application of community guidelines
- Most heavily censored platform according to global studies
🎮
Twitch
video
moderate censorship
5/10
Freedom Score
6/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
occasional
Appeal Process:
good
- Inconsistent enforcement of community guidelines
- DMCA takedowns affecting content creators
- Vague "hateful conduct" policy interpretations
- Political content restrictions during sensitive periods
- Music copyright issues limiting creative freedom
f
Facebook
mainstream
high censorship
4/10
Freedom Score
6/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
widespread
Appeal Process:
fair
Users: 3B+ monthly active users
HQ: Menlo Park, USA
- Extensive content moderation with AI systems
- Documented bias in enforcement of community standards
- Suppression of political content during election periods
- Over-reliance on third-party fact-checkers
- Systematic censorship of Palestine-related content
📷
Instagram
mainstream
high censorship
4/10
Freedom Score
5/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
widespread
Appeal Process:
fair
Users: 2B+ monthly active users
HQ: Menlo Park, USA
- Heavy algorithmic suppression of reach
- Shadow banning of accounts without notification
- Inconsistent enforcement across different topics
- Suppression of political and controversial content
- Over 1,000 documented cases of Palestine content censorship
🎵
TikTok
video
severe censorship
3/10
Freedom Score
3/10
Transparency
Shadow Ban Reports:
widespread
Appeal Process:
poor
Users: 1B+ monthly active users
HQ: Singapore/Beijing
- Opaque algorithm with heavy content suppression
- Geopolitical content restrictions
- Limited transparency in moderation decisions
- Concerns about Chinese government influence
- Banned in multiple countries including Montana (2023)
Scoring Methodology
Freedom Score (1-10)
- • 9-10: Minimal restrictions, strong free speech protection
- • 7-8: Some limitations, generally creator-friendly
- • 5-6: Moderate censorship, inconsistent enforcement
- • 3-4: Heavy restrictions, frequent content removal
- • 1-2: Severe censorship, limited expression
Transparency Score (1-10)
- • 9-10: Comprehensive transparency reports, clear policies
- • 7-8: Regular updates, good communication
- • 5-6: Basic transparency, some clarity issues
- • 3-4: Limited transparency, vague policies
- • 1-2: Opaque operations, poor communication