Definition
Scunthorpe is an issue that occurs when content filtering algorithms or systems mistakenly censor or block legitimate content because of the presence of substrings with offensive or inappropriate meanings.
This happens when automated systems use basic keyword matching to detect or block content, ignoring context or word boundaries.
Scunthorpe Problem Examples
- Scunthorpe is a town in England. However, it has an offensive substring ‘cunt’ making the town’s name be flagged or blocked by content filters.
- The name ‘assassination’ might be blocked because of the vulgar substring ‘ass,’ causing it to be blocked.
Comparing the Scunthorpe Problem to False Positives and False Negatives
The Scunthorpe problem is a false positive, where a content system or algorithm mistakenly identifies non-offensive words as offensive. On the other hand, a false positive occurs when the filter fails to detect genuinely offensive content.
Both issues show the inadequacies of automated content filtering systems and the need for intelligent filtering algorithms and systems that understand context and semantics.
Solving the Scunthorpe Problem
- Review and update content filtering rules and keywords regularly to reduce unintended consequences.
- Implement a natural language processing algorithm that can comprehend context and semantics, minimizing the chances of false positives.
- Combine automated systems and human moderation to verify content before flagging or blocking.