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+0.39 Pinterest is drowning in a sea of AI slop and auto-moderation (www.404media.co)
93 points by trinsic2 1 days ago | 76 comments on HN | Neutral Editorial · vv3.4 · 2026-02-24
Article Heatmap
Preamble: +0.43 — Preamble P Article 1: +0.38 — Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood 1 Article 2: +0.36 — Non-Discrimination 2 Article 3: ND — Life, Liberty, Security Article 3: No Data — Life, Liberty, Security 3 Article 4: ND — No Slavery Article 4: No Data — No Slavery 4 Article 5: ND — No Torture Article 5: No Data — No Torture 5 Article 6: ND — Legal Personhood Article 6: No Data — Legal Personhood 6 Article 7: +0.36 — Equality Before Law 7 Article 8: +0.26 — Right to Remedy 8 Article 9: +0.34 — No Arbitrary Detention 9 Article 10: +0.28 — Fair Hearing 10 Article 11: ND — Presumption of Innocence Article 11: No Data — Presumption of Innocence 11 Article 12: +0.26 — Privacy 12 Article 13: +0.33 — Freedom of Movement 13 Article 14: ND — Asylum Article 14: No Data — Asylum 14 Article 15: ND — Nationality Article 15: No Data — Nationality 15 Article 16: ND — Marriage & Family Article 16: No Data — Marriage & Family 16 Article 17: +0.41 — Property 17 Article 18: ND — Freedom of Thought Article 18: No Data — Freedom of Thought 18 Article 19: +0.71 — Freedom of Expression 19 Article 20: +0.46 — Assembly & Association 20 Article 21: +0.33 — Political Participation 21 Article 22: +0.38 — Social Security 22 Article 23: +0.41 — Work & Equal Pay 23 Article 24: +0.36 — Rest & Leisure 24 Article 25: +0.33 — Standard of Living 25 Article 26: +0.38 — Education 26 Article 27: +0.46 — Cultural Participation 27 Article 28: +0.33 — Social & International Order 28 Article 29: +0.36 — Duties to Community 29 Article 30: ND — No Destruction of Rights Article 30: No Data — No Destruction of Rights 30
Negative Neutral Positive No Data
Aggregates
Weighted Mean +0.39 Unweighted Mean +0.38
Max +0.71 Article 19 Min +0.26 Article 8
Signal 21 No Data 10
Confidence 45% Volatility 0.09 (Low)
Negative 0 Channels E: 0.6 S: 0.4
SETL +0.18 Editorial-dominant
Evidence: High: 3 Medium: 18 Low: 0 No Data: 10
Theme Radar
Foundation Security Legal Privacy & Movement Personal Expression Economic & Social Cultural Order & Duties Foundation: 0.39 (3 articles) Security: 0.00 (0 articles) Legal: 0.31 (4 articles) Privacy & Movement: 0.30 (2 articles) Personal: 0.41 (1 articles) Expression: 0.50 (3 articles) Economic & Social: 0.37 (4 articles) Cultural: 0.42 (2 articles) Order & Duties: 0.34 (2 articles)
Domain Context Profile
Element Modifier Affects Note
Privacy -0.05
Article 12
Privacy policy link present in footer; no evidence of problematic data handling observable on-domain
Terms of Service —
No Terms of Service content visible on URL
Accessibility +0.05
Article 2 Article 27
Basic semantic HTML structure and theme accessibility options present; limited evidence of advanced accessibility features
Mission +0.10
Article 19 Article 20
404 Media positions as independent news organization; observable commitment to investigative reporting and public interest
Editorial Code +0.05
Article 19
Named author attribution, source citations, and user interviews observable; professional journalistic standards evident
Ownership —
Ownership structure not observable on-domain
Access Model -0.05
Article 25 Article 26
Subscription model with paywall; some content restricted to paid users; free tier available but limited
Ad/Tracking -0.08
Article 12
Advertisement present; 'Go ad free' option visible; tracking practices not fully transparent on-page
HN Discussion 19 top-level comments
JumpCrisscross 2026-02-23 07:01 UTC link
“MAUs were 619 million, an increase of 12% compared to December 31, 2024” [1].

[1] https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1506293/0001...

interstice 2026-02-23 08:13 UTC link
Not to mention so many ads it’s no longer usable.
kaizenb 2026-02-23 11:05 UTC link
Pinterest sucks.

You can create your private archive with Bookmarker. Share collections publicly if you want.

https://bookmarker.cc/

micw 2026-02-23 11:09 UTC link
And the world is drowning in more pinterest google image search spam.
cap11235 2026-02-23 11:11 UTC link
Pinterest is the OG slop, long before LLMs ever existed
tebbers 2026-02-23 11:23 UTC link
I also noticed recently they changed their design completely. Instead of browsing your board and the things you pinned in the past, what you're now shown are completely unrelated items that you might want to add to your board, and most of these are things you can buy from other shopping sites.
easywood 2026-02-23 11:48 UTC link
It's a shame, I used to browse Pinterest for woodworking ideas. A year ago, I noticed some of the results were AI generated. Now almost ALL results are AI generated, included the obviously scammy ads they put in everywhere. If someone knows a place where you can find fun woodworking projects, I'm all ears.
petesergeant 2026-02-23 12:03 UTC link
We need camera hardware to be able to sign photos
CrzyLngPwd 2026-02-23 12:14 UTC link
I have to be honest and say that I have no sympathy for Pinterest and other services destroying themselves in the clamour to jam AI and feed algorithms into everything.

That they ever thought anyone would enjoy the experience is beyond me, and it demonstrates their place in the grotty suburbs of the attention economy.

nusl 2026-02-23 12:38 UTC link
Deserved. Pinterest has been enshittifying itself and the Internet at large for quite a long time.
estimator7292 2026-02-23 12:48 UTC link
I'm a Kagi user so i genuinely forgot that Pinterest still exists.

Thank you, Kagi.

maplethorpe 2026-02-23 12:52 UTC link
I do wonder what the future of using these platforms is in the era of AI. Theoretically, I feel like asking Claude to filter the results to remove "slop" would work quite well. Maybe that could be built into some kind of extension?
jameskilton 2026-02-23 12:55 UTC link
Blizzard recently set up a World of Warcraft promotion with Pinterest where you could share your housing builds from in-game. Many people were insta-banned from Pinterest for "spam" after just posting one or two pictures.

https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/pinterest-suspended-...

Something is very broken over at Pinterest.

rchaud 2026-02-23 12:56 UTC link
I had a Pinterest account back when there were genuinely great resource for niche things like Japanese graphic design.

Since then, I've moved to simply having a local image/video database UI app like Eagle[0] and checking Are.na[1] for interesting collections.

[0] https://eagle.cool/ [1] https://www.are.na/explore

feverzsj 2026-02-23 13:21 UTC link
If you use google image search recently, it's mostly Pinterest and Facebook.
mv4 2026-02-23 13:36 UTC link
It's not just Pinterest though. IG, Reddit, even LinkedIn.
alexpotato 2026-02-23 14:03 UTC link
I ran an account on Instagram that "curated" posts from other people (basically reposted images but before the current reposting functionality).

The AI generated images are so prevalent that I resorted to reposting images only if there were from 2022 or earlier (sure, filters existed then too).

The whole experience reminds me of the story about "pre-radiation steel" [0] and how future generations won't be able to trust any image after 2024. Then again, we have large amounts of literature and stories from ancient history or medieval times that are impossible to verify as true so maybe this isn't a new problem.

0 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-background_steel

DudeOpotomus 2026-02-23 14:05 UTC link
PINS has 5200 employees! What The actual F are 5200 people doing?

This company exemplifies the "dead internet". No way they grow, let alone hit their targets.

Going short.

ulfw 2026-02-24 06:07 UTC link
Pinterest is such a fascinating product. I've tried to use it a few times over the many years the product has been out. Never ever saw a point of sticking around. Constantly getting annoyed at some Google search pinterest links and that's about it. With AI now filling it up, I completely fathom to understand what this is good for
Score Breakdown
+0.43
Preamble Preamble
Medium A:human_dignity A:freedom_of_expression F:platform_accountability
Editorial
+0.45
Structural
+0.35
SETL
+0.21
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Editorial advocacy for human dignity in digital spaces and against algorithmic oppression; structural elements support accessibility and transparency

+0.38
Article 1 Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood
Medium A:equal_dignity F:algorithmic_bias
Editorial
+0.40
Structural
+0.30
SETL
+0.20
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Content documents unequal treatment by Pinterest's automated systems; reports disproportionate impact on female-presenting users

+0.36
Article 2 Non-Discrimination
Medium A:non_discrimination
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.25
SETL
+0.19
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Highlights discriminatory application of AI moderation; documents pattern of bias against female figures

ND
Article 3 Life, Liberty, Security

Right to life not addressed in this content; ND

ND
Article 4 No Slavery

Slavery/servitude not addressed; ND

ND
Article 5 No Torture

Torture/cruel treatment not directly addressed; ND

ND
Article 6 Legal Personhood

Right to recognition as person not addressed; ND

+0.36
Article 7 Equality Before Law
Medium A:equal_protection F:algorithmic_discrimination
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.25
SETL
+0.19
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Content documents unequal protection under platform's automated enforcement systems; demonstrates lack of equal protection before moderation algorithms

+0.26
Article 8 Right to Remedy
Medium A:effective_remedy
Editorial
+0.30
Structural
+0.20
SETL
+0.17
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents inadequate appeals process; users report lengthy and unreliable remedies for platform actions

+0.34
Article 9 No Arbitrary Detention
Medium A:arbitrary_detention F:account_suspension
Editorial
+0.38
Structural
+0.28
SETL
+0.19
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Reports account suspensions and content removals that users perceive as arbitrary; documents lack of clear due process

+0.28
Article 10 Fair Hearing
Medium A:fair_hearing
Editorial
+0.32
Structural
+0.22
SETL
+0.18
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents inadequate hearing mechanisms; appeals process described as inconsistent and opaque

ND
Article 11 Presumption of Innocence

Criminal law/retroactivity not addressed; ND

+0.26
Article 12 Privacy
Medium A:privacy_violation P:data_handling
Editorial
+0.40
Structural
+0.25
SETL
+0.24
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents algorithmic monitoring and decision-making about user content; concerns about automated surveillance and data use implicit in moderation discussion

+0.33
Article 13 Freedom of Movement
Medium A:freedom_of_movement
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.30
SETL
+0.13
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Implicit in account suspension/ban concerns; users report restrictions on their ability to participate

ND
Article 14 Asylum

Right to asylum not addressed; ND

ND
Article 15 Nationality

Nationality not addressed; ND

ND
Article 16 Marriage & Family

Marriage/family rights not addressed; ND

+0.41
Article 17 Property
High A:property_rights F:intellectual_property
Editorial
+0.50
Structural
+0.40
SETL
+0.22
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Extensively addresses artists' property rights in their original work; documents platform misattribution, incorrect labeling, and content theft concerns

ND
Article 18 Freedom of Thought

Freedom of thought/conscience/religion not directly addressed; ND

+0.71
Article 19 Freedom of Expression
High A:freedom_of_expression A:press_freedom P:content_moderation C:platform_governance
Editorial
+0.65
Structural
+0.55
SETL
+0.25
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Core focus: documents restrictions on artists' expression through AI labeling, removal of legitimate content, and barriers to creative speech; 404 Media exercises press freedom to investigate

+0.46
Article 20 Assembly & Association
Medium A:freedom_of_assembly F:community_organization
Editorial
+0.40
Structural
+0.35
SETL
+0.14
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents community response (r/Pinterest) organizing against platform policies; shows collective action and solidarity among affected users

+0.33
Article 21 Political Participation
Medium A:political_participation
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.30
SETL
+0.13
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Implicit in documentation of users advocating for platform accountability; community organizing observable

+0.38
Article 22 Social Security
Medium A:social_security F:worker_dignity
Editorial
+0.40
Structural
+0.35
SETL
+0.14
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents impact on artists' livelihoods; reports time burden of appeals, impact on Etsy branding, and income implications

+0.41
Article 23 Work & Equal Pay
Medium A:right_to_work F:platform_as_workplace
Editorial
+0.45
Structural
+0.35
SETL
+0.21
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents impact on artists' ability to work; reports time spent on appeals, account suspensions, and economic consequences

+0.36
Article 24 Rest & Leisure
Medium A:rest_and_leisure
Editorial
+0.38
Structural
+0.32
SETL
+0.15
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Implicit in documentation of time burden of platform moderation appeals; users lose leisure time to administrative tasks

+0.33
Article 25 Standard of Living
Medium A:standard_of_living
Editorial
+0.42
Structural
+0.32
SETL
+0.20
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents impact on artists' economic conditions; paywall structure limits access to information about platform accountability

+0.38
Article 26 Education
Medium A:education_rights F:information_access
Editorial
+0.40
Structural
+0.35
SETL
+0.14
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents impact on creative learning/development; AI misattribution prevents proper attribution of educational examples

+0.46
Article 27 Cultural Participation
High A:cultural_participation F:artistic_rights
Editorial
+0.50
Structural
+0.40
SETL
+0.22
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents restrictions on cultural participation; artists prevented from sharing and receiving recognition for creative work

+0.33
Article 28 Social & International Order
Medium A:social_order
Editorial
+0.35
Structural
+0.30
SETL
+0.13
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Documents platform failures in maintaining just social order; arbitrary enforcement undermines rights realization

+0.36
Article 29 Duties to Community
Medium A:duties_and_limitations
Editorial
+0.38
Structural
+0.33
SETL
+0.14
Combined
ND
Context Modifier
ND

Implicit critique that platform's restrictions on expression exceed reasonable limitations; enforcement appears disproportionate

ND
Article 30 No Destruction of Rights

Anti-destruction clause not directly addressed; ND
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