"It Feels Like Being Locked in A Cage": Understanding Blind or Low Vision Streamers' Perceptions of Content Curation Algorithms

TL;DR

This study explores how blind or low vision streamers perceive content curation algorithms on Douyin, revealing perceived biases and challenges, and suggesting design considerations for more inclusive live streaming platforms.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into BLV streamers' perceptions of algorithms and proposes design considerations for fairer, more inclusive live streaming environments.

Findings

BLV streamers face disadvantages due to algorithmic evaluation issues.

Perceived algorithmic suppression limits content visibility for BLV streamers.

Mitigation strategies among BLV streamers are mostly passive.

Abstract

Blind or low vision (BLV) people were recently reported to be live streamers on the online platforms that employed content curation algorithms. Recent research uncovered algorithm biases suppressing the content created by marginalized populations. However, little is known about the effects of the algorithms adopted by live streaming platforms on BLV streamers and how they, as a marginalized population, perceive the effects of the algorithms. We interviewed BLV streamers (N=19) of Douyin -- a popular live stream platform in China -- to understand their perceptions of algorithms, perceived challenges, and mitigation strategies. Our findings show the perceived factors contributing to disadvantages under algorithmic evaluation of BLV streamers' content (e.g., issues with filming and timely interaction with viewers) and perceived algorithmic suppression (e.g., content not amplified to sighted users but suppressed within the BLV community). Their mitigation strategies (e.g., not watching other BLV streamers' shows) tended to be passive. We discuss design considerations to design a more inclusive and fair live streaming platform.