Content moderation is essential when deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools that generate, recommend or host content. Businesses need clear policies and processes to ensure that their AI systems do not create, amplify or allow harmful or inappropriate material. This includes managing risks relating to offensive language, misinformation, harassment, intellectual property infringement and illegal content.

Our solicitors provide expert guidance on designing and implementing content moderation frameworks that are legally compliant, commercially practical and aligned with regulatory requirements.

Why Content Moderation Matters

AI tools are increasingly used in customer-facing platforms, social media, marketing, recruitment, gaming and education. Without robust moderation, organisations may face:

  • Legal risk – liability for unlawful or harmful content.
  • Regulatory risk – non-compliance with online safety or data protection laws.
  • Reputational risk – brand damage caused by offensive or misleading outputs.
  • Commercial risk – loss of user trust or breach of contractual obligations.

Policies and Governance

We advise businesses on creating moderation policies that define:

  • What content is considered inappropriate or harmful.
  • How moderation decisions are made and reviewed.
  • The role of human oversight in AI moderation processes.
  • Transparency and accountability to regulators, users and stakeholders.

Processes and Implementation

Effective moderation requires both legal clarity and operational processes. We help clients with:

  • Drafting contractual terms that set out responsibilities for moderation.
  • Designing workflows for detecting, filtering and removing harmful content.
  • Establishing escalation procedures for disputes or appeals.
  • Embedding compliance with online safety legislation and industry standards.

AI and Automated Moderation

Where AI tools themselves perform moderation, we provide advice on:

  • Legal risks of automated decision-making.
  • Balancing efficiency with fairness and transparency.
  • Ensuring outputs comply with equality, non-discrimination and free expression rights.
  • Managing liability where moderation tools fail to detect harmful content.

Why Seek Content Moderation Advice?

By taking early legal advice on content moderation, businesses can:

  • Reduce the risk of regulatory investigation and litigation.
  • Protect their reputation and customer relationships.
  • Ensure contracts with AI providers, clients and users are watertight.
  • Build safe, compliant and trusted AI systems.

For any questions you may have, our content moderation solicitors Neil Williamson and Colin Lambertus can help you.