I have only ever heard the term “whisper network” said in the context of bullying, typically of trans women. I just googled it, and apparently some people see whisper networks as positive? I’m stunned, it’s like hearing someone say conspiracies are a useful tool for abuse victims.
Personally, I believe in open discussion in which both sides are considered impartially by bystanders. This still has the flaw of favouring stronger rhetoricians, but at least it doesn’t privilege people with social connections over people who are isolated. Which is what whisper networks do. And is why pedophiles love to work as priests and other community pillars.
I don’t know where you got your definition of them from, but a whisper network is most commonly when (usually) women inform each other about men who are sexual predators, (usually) in workplaces.
Personally, I believe in open discussion in which both sides are considered impartially by bystanders.
There is no world where humans are impartial. And why bystanders? What power do random bystanders have to affect any given situation?
And is why pedophiles love to work as priests and other community pillars.
This is the exact reason whisper networks are often necessary. Men in positions of power will not be held accountable by other men, and women who report them openly will be harassed and punished. In order for e.g. a woman to avoid an abuser, or a mother to protect her children, they need a way of being informed without opening the informer up to society’s institutional misogyny.
The day society is actually unbiased and equally protective of all people, they won’t be necessary.
a whisper network is most commonly when (usually) women inform each other about men who are sexual predators, (usually) in workplaces.
Oh, that makes sense then. I’ve only ever heard the term within the trans community, and most of the trans people I know (myself included) are t4t and gay. I don’t know what the cishet people are up to. In the trans community, whisper networks are for well-connected abusers to DARVO their less popular victims. The victim has no opportunity to respond to the accusations and may not even know about them until all their friends have cut contact.
And that’s one of the issues cited by Norway’s data protection authority with Shinigami Eyes:
It is Datatilsynet’s view that to be marked through Shinigami Eyes may entail negative
consequences for the data subject, regardless of whether they are marked as being pro- or
anti-trans. Being marked as anti-trans could cause one to lose their job, or friendships, and the
individual could be the target of hate and mistreatment. Being pro-trans could, in certain
communities (for example religious or very conservative communities), be construed as
negative as well, similar reactions as described above could be imposed on the data subject.
The negative impact must be viewed as particularly intensive, in light of the individualised
nature of the marking, in addition to the data subject not having information about the
marking nor understanding why they received such a marking. It is therefore also in particular
difficult for the data subject to present an opposing view. This could also entail fear, irritation
and other broader emotional impacts, which, according to the WP29, must be taken into
account in this balancing act.
[…]
In addition, it must be taken into account that since the processing is occurring without the
appropriate information being provided to the data subjects, the data subject is prevented from
exercising their right to object in accordance with GDPR Article 21. The lack of adequate
information being provided to the data subject will be further examined below in its own
section.
Personally, I agree with this legal decision. The final verdict from the data protection authority is that the legitimate interest of trans people to be warned of transphobia by an app, which is easier than using their own judgement, does not outweigh subjects’ right to safety from profiling and their right to object. Who decides whether a user’s submission is added to the bloom filter? A machine learning heuristic and an unknown, unidentified group of people who the Norwegian government was unable to track down. There is no accountability.
Whisper networks are only useful if you’re part of them though. They often exclude newcomers and actively allow them to get hurt, then blame them for doing so.
I have only ever heard the term “whisper network” said in the context of bullying, typically of trans women. I just googled it, and apparently some people see whisper networks as positive? I’m stunned, it’s like hearing someone say conspiracies are a useful tool for abuse victims.
Personally, I believe in open discussion in which both sides are considered impartially by bystanders. This still has the flaw of favouring stronger rhetoricians, but at least it doesn’t privilege people with social connections over people who are isolated. Which is what whisper networks do. And is why pedophiles love to work as priests and other community pillars.
I don’t know where you got your definition of them from, but a whisper network is most commonly when (usually) women inform each other about men who are sexual predators, (usually) in workplaces.
There is no world where humans are impartial. And why bystanders? What power do random bystanders have to affect any given situation?
This is the exact reason whisper networks are often necessary. Men in positions of power will not be held accountable by other men, and women who report them openly will be harassed and punished. In order for e.g. a woman to avoid an abuser, or a mother to protect her children, they need a way of being informed without opening the informer up to society’s institutional misogyny.
The day society is actually unbiased and equally protective of all people, they won’t be necessary.
Oh, that makes sense then. I’ve only ever heard the term within the trans community, and most of the trans people I know (myself included) are t4t and gay. I don’t know what the cishet people are up to. In the trans community, whisper networks are for well-connected abusers to DARVO their less popular victims. The victim has no opportunity to respond to the accusations and may not even know about them until all their friends have cut contact.
And that’s one of the issues cited by Norway’s data protection authority with Shinigami Eyes:
Personally, I agree with this legal decision. The final verdict from the data protection authority is that the legitimate interest of trans people to be warned of transphobia by an app, which is easier than using their own judgement, does not outweigh subjects’ right to safety from profiling and their right to object. Who decides whether a user’s submission is added to the bloom filter? A machine learning heuristic and an unknown, unidentified group of people who the Norwegian government was unable to track down. There is no accountability.
Whisper networks are only useful if you’re part of them though. They often exclude newcomers and actively allow them to get hurt, then blame them for doing so.
Warning for talk of S.A. etc:
Are We Dating The Same Guy | Digital Whisper Networks in the #MeToo Era by hoots 59 minutes and 46 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZaWnQ9HXZA