What Are Banned Words Lists in Big Tech AI Models And On Their Online Platforms?
In the world of Big Tech AI models & online platforms after the democratization of AI started in 2022, the impact of embedded, intransparent, ‘banned words lists’ became obvious for users with the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI, Bard by Google (later ‘Gemini’) and Bing Create and Copilot by Microsoft. And on online platforms owned by Big Tech like like Bing and later on Linkedin by Microsoft. Positioning themselves as ‘the 3 digital gatekeepers of Global Morality’ so to speak.
What are banned words lists?
“Banned words lists in AI systems are predefined collections of specific words and phrases that the AI model or online platform is programmed to block in prompts using or responding to generate any type of ‘banned content’ (text or image) in the eyes of the Big Tech company concerned.”
These hidden lists function as a hard-coded mechanism for automated content moderation and prompt filtering, incuding Big Tech centric NSFW prompt filtering and NSFW content generation in general, preventing generation of ‘Banned Explicit AI Content’. Targeting terms deemed ‘inappropriate’ based on corporate values, US cultural norms, and ethical or legal considerations of US-based Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, Facebook (Meta) and Amazon to name the most important ones.
These lists often include terms related to vague terms like ‘explicit content’, ‘adult content’, hate speech, violence, or politically sensitive topics from a conservative U.S. biased viewpoint under the influence of people like Doug Wilson. Embedded directly into the AI’s algorithms, rule-bases and other infrastructure, they cannot be accessed, viewed, nor modified by corporate employees, public authorities, external or internal auditors, nor by national or regional regulators. To check compliance with national or for instance European legal frameworks like the EU AI Act or the Digital Services Act.
As a result, they operate as rigid, invisible filters, blocking often legal content without context or explanation, which stifles AI productivity and AI creativity, limits open discussions, and ignores cultural differences in acceptable language and norms between the U.S. and other souvereign nation states in the world.
More: New In 2026, The Great AI Layoff, The Online Shakeout & Book Tony de Bree As Mobile AI Faciltator
This opacity leaves users, corporate purchasers, governments and ministeries and national and regional regulators like in the European Union in the dark, with no ability to challenge or adapt the standard build in automated restrictions to user needs in line with cultural values and national regulation.
From the user’s perspective, the use of standard embedded and hidden banned words lists is arbitrary and Big Tech corporate and culturally biased. Big Tech AI models and online platforms prohibit content that challenges societal norms, satirizes political figures, or touches on controversial topics in the eyes of the CEO’s and owners of the companies concerned. The result: ‘AI Big Tech Says No’.
While these rules aim officially at ‘preventing harm, misinformation, or legal violations, they in practice suppress legitimate expressions of AI art including AI-Generated Political Cartoons, AI-Generated Resistance Art and many other forms of freedom expression including Generic AI-Generated Explicit Content across the world in any jurisdiction.
This new global form of online censorship, global AI censorship, imposed by the leadership of a limited number of US-based tech companies in line with the ‘Make America Christian Again’ (MACA) movement lof people ike Doug Wilson on all their users concerned prevents their users to create content they want. Who want freedom of expression and freedom of speech. Its the Digital Bible Belt for all of their users worldwide.
Reach out.
If you want people in your company, department or virtual team to learn quickly the ins and outs of ensuring AI Compliance? Including how to ensure Generative AI Compliance, Regulatory AI Compliance and integrated Organizational AI Compliance? Contact us here today and we wil contact you for a free intake call and a fixed price quote for an unlimited number of people for fast online or offline learning ondemand.
