[Archived Event]
Trust & Safety (T&S) practices have largely been shaped by Western perspectives, often failing to address the unique challenges and requirements of the Global Majority. The core principles guiding policy frameworks on major online platforms are rooted in Western notions of free speech and individual agency, which frequently do not align with the diverse experiences of the Majority World.
There is a growing consensus within industry research and practice for the urgent need to incorporate Global Majority perspectives into T&S research, policy, and practice to foster a more equitable and efficient digital ecosystem. Recent initiatives, such as dedicated sessions at TrustCon, the Journal of Online Trust & Safety’s pilot grant program, and the launch of the Global MajorityResearch Committee by the Trust and Safety Foundation Research Coalition, underscore this increasing recognition.
This peer-reviewed special issue aims to add to these initiatives, offering nuanced and contextualized insights into trust and safety issues through academic papers that delve into specific Majority World regions and their unique and diverse contexts. Researchers focusing on trust and safety topics in the MajorityWorld often encounter significant challenges, including data scarcity, safety concerns,methodological limitations, language barriers, and restricted access to global discourseforums.
This special issue seeks to address these limitations in a small way while simultaneously elevating awareness of the complex and often contradictory challenges of content moderation in the Majority World. As the Journal of Online Trust & Safety (JOTS) is uniquely dedicated to the T&S field, it serves as the most impactful channel to achieve these critical aims.
We invite original research papers from researchers based in academia, industry, civil society, or government organizations. This special issue will also consider strong and relevant commentaries related to this topic. Submissions should explore trust and safety topics within the Majority World context. While not exhaustive, topics of interest include:
- Digital Marginalization and Vulnerability
- Socioeconomic Inequality and Digital Divide
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Online
- Government Regulation and Policy
- Tech Industry Practices and Corporate Responsibility
- Community-led Initiatives
- Intersectional Approaches
- Emerging Technologies
- Postcolonialism and the Digital World
- Comparative Analysis
- Case Studies of Online Harms
Timeline
- CFP Published Online: July 15, 2025
- Abstract Submissions Closed: October 31, 2025
- Abstract Acceptance Notification: November 30, 2025
- Full Manuscript Submissions Due: February 28, 2026
- Manuscript Review Completed: March 31, 2026
- Revised Manuscripts Due: May 15, 2026
- Final Notification: June 1, 2026
- Special Issue Publication: July 30, 2026
More detail about the call for proposal can be found here.