Custodians of the Internet

Custodians of the Internet by Tarleton Gillespie examines how major online platforms have become de facto public infrastructure for speech and the difficult choices they face in moderating content at scale. Drawing on case studies and interviews, Gillespie reveals the interplay of algorithms, corporate policies, legal pressures, and the often hidden work of human moderators that together shape what users see and say. The book highlights tensions between free expression, safety, and commercial priorities, and argues for greater transparency, accountability, and governance mechanisms to ensure content moderation supports democratic values across diverse cultural and legal contexts.