'Outed' by the algorithm, how social media is revealing queer identity ahead of self-disclosure

Article excerpt

Social media algorithms are increasingly revealing users' sexual orientation or gender identity before they have consciously come out to themselves or others, according to new research. The new study published in Gender, Place & Culture coins the term "algorithmic outing", when digital platforms infer and surface a user's LGBTQ+ identity through personalized content and recommendations based on engagement signals such as liking a video, following a creator or lingering on certain posts.