By: Hunter Storm
Published:
Hunter Storm is the Founder of Black Star Institute, a CISO, President, Advisory Board Member, SOC Black Ops Team Member, Principal Security Architect, Systems Architect, QED‑C TAC Relationship Leader, and Cyber‑Physical‑Psychological Hybrid Threat Expert with decades of experience across global Fortune 100 enterprises and critical‑infrastructure environments. She is a federal whistleblower to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding Wells Fargo, an experience that informs her work on institutional accountability and systemic failure.
She is the originator of the field of Human‑Layer Security and multiple adjacent disciplines through her foundational framework, Hacking Humans: The Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering (1994–2007), which established system‑level metaphors that now underpin modern socio‑technical security practice. She is also the originator of Hybrid Threat Modeling and multiple other disciplines and fields that arose from navigating two decades of hybrid threat environments in real-world operations.
Hunter Storm is also the creator of The Storm Project: AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and the Future of Intelligence (2023-2026), a long‑horizon research initiative examining the convergence of emerging technologies, governance, and hybrid threat dynamics. Her work spans AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, platform governance, and systemic risk across complex global socio‑technical systems.
She contributes to ANSI X9, FS‑ISAC, NIST, and QED‑C, shaping standards, strategy, and policy in cybersecurity, financial systems, and post‑quantum cryptography (PQC). Her research, frameworks, and advisory work place her among the small group of practitioners influencing the United States’ quantum and post‑quantum governance landscape from within the ecosystem.
How to Avoid a Social Media Ban (Unless You Want One, in Which Case, Make It Count)
Ah, social media, the digital Wild West where you can share your thoughts, connect with like-minded people, and accidentally step on a landmine that gets you booted faster than a cat video goes viral. That’s why I wrote this post: to help you avoid a social media ban.
If you’ve ever been banned, shadow banned or thrown into the abyss of community guidelines violations without even knowing what you did wrong, this guide is for you. If you haven’t, congratulations. You’re either incredibly lucky, super boring, or you work for the platform.
This post blends my free speech stance, hacker humor, and practical security advice while paying homage to George Carlin’s comedy routine, “7 Words You Can’t Say on TV” in a way that’s both hilarious and genuinely useful.
Without further ado, here’s how to not get yeeted off social media while still maintaining your wit, freedom of speech, and general smartassery.
Know the Algorithm’s Tripwires
Social media companies have built automated systems that scan for “bad words,” “problematic behavior,” and anything that triggers their content moderation bots. Humans with a nuanced understanding of context do not run these systems. No, it’s an overworked artificial intelligence (AI) that once mistook a pastor’s sermon for hate speech and flagged someone talking about their chicken breast recipe as explicit content.
Some words will get you flagged instantly, while others depend on how, where, and when you use them. More on that later.
Pro tip: If you ever feel like the system is unfair and inconsistent, that’s because it is. Accept this and move accordingly.
Avoid the Forbidden Words | Get Creative with Censorship
In honor of George Carlin, we present a comprehensive, but ever-changing, list of words that will fast-track you to the digital gulag: [Insert long and evolving list of words here]. Everything from the obvious to the absurd, including slang that platforms mistakenly flag as hate speech, violent threats, or spicy content.
Workaround: Internet censorship evasion has become an art form. This is why people type words like “corn” instead of “porn,” or just replace half their words with emojis. It’s not just internet slang; it’s survival.
Don’t Engage in “Wrong Think” Even by Accident
You don’t have to actually violate guidelines to get a social media ban. Sometimes, merely expressing a controversial opinion, posting an “incorrect” fact, even if it’s later proven to be true, or getting mass-reported by a bunch of angry trolls, is enough.
How to Avoid the Troll Mobs
Stay as neutral as possible when discussing the forbidden topics. But, where’s the fun in that?
- Learn the art of sneaky wording. Say the same thing in a way that flies under the radar.
- Thou Shalt Not Poke the Moderators Too Hard
- Use code words like a cyberpunk dystopian rebel.
Moderator May I?
You might think it’s funny to test the limits by tagging social media support and saying, “Hey, can I say this?” Spoiler: You cannot.
- Arguing with mods or AI appeals is like yelling at a Magic 8-Ball.
- If you must appeal, be professional and polite, even if you want to type in all caps.
- Suspect human intervention? Word your response as if a lawyer will read it, because they might.
Beware the “Guilt by Association” Ban
Did your buddy just get a social media ban? Did you share, like, or comment on their post? Congrats, you might get a temporary vacation too.
- Avoid sharing posts that are already under review unless you want to join them in exile.
- Be careful with inside jokes that moderators won’t understand. That meme your hacker friend posted? To the algorithm, it’s a manifesto.
- Speaking of which, never use the word “manifesto.” Even though it’s a perfectly valid word, some companies have decided it now carries a negative connotation over the past several years.
The Shadow Ban | When You Don’t Have a Social Media Ban, But You Might as Well Have One
Sometimes, you don’t get an outright ban, but suddenly:
- Engagement drops to zero.
- Posts are invisible to people who don’t already follow you.
- The platform disables monetization options. They gray out the “request a review” options. Then, they do not provide any way to contact or communicate with the platform.
- You feel like you’re yelling into the void.
This is a shadow ban. No, they’ll never admit it exists. Yes, it does.
Learn more about shadow banning in my articles:
- Femme Fatale to Federal Whistleblower | Why I Built a Public Presence
- The Unspoken Cost of Integrity | Why Some of the Best Minds Get Silenced
- The Trunk Monkey Effect | Why Suppressing the Right People Backfires
Digital Sunlight | How to Recover from Shadow Banning
Note that in some cases, the shadow banning may be self-perpetuating. That is due to automated lists and lack of appropriate human review.
- Go silent for a bit. Stop posting for a few days and break the algorithm’s attention on you.
- Remove “bad” posts.
- Interact like a normal, wholesome human for a while.
“It’s Not What I Say, But How I Say It.” – Mae West
People often worry about what they say online, but the real trick is how they say it. The system isn’t just scanning for “bad words.” It’s analyzing patterns, sentiment, and intent. The meta-layer of moderation is what most people miss. Then again, it’s also what most algorithms miss, since algorithms are created by people.
Somewhere out there, a system is logging who you interact with, how often, whether your tone is escalating, and even the velocity of your conversations. It’s not just about saying the “wrong thing,” it’s about not behaving in a way that makes the system nervous.
As for me, well, I’ve been told by AI that I “make a lot of systems very, very nervous.” Gosh, I feel just like Adam Sandler’s character in the movie, Little Nicky. Especially the scene where the street preacher went bonkers as soon as he saw Nicky.
If You Must Go Out, Go Out in a Blaze of Glory
If you do get a social media ban, make sure it was for something truly epic. A meme so devastatingly hilarious that they had no choice but to shut you down. A parting shot that gets screenshotted and shared in digital folklore.
You should not, under any circumstances, read Hunterstorming is the New Rickrolling | Origin Story.
If you weren’t at least a little legendary when they banned you, what was the point?
Algorithm Workout | Navigating the Word Maze
At the end of the day, social media companies own their platforms, and you’re playing in their sandbox. You can either follow the unspoken rules, learn how to navigate the landmines, or risk digital exile.
But let’s be honest. Half the fun is in figuring out where the lines are and toeing them just enough to make the algorithm sweat.
Stay smart. Stay snarky. And may your posts always evade the ban hammer.
Bonus | The Ultimate List of Words That Will Get You Banned on Social Media
Check back for updates in collaboration with the great minds of social media exile.
Here’s a list of resources that detail terminology and topics which may lead to social media bans. While there isn’t a single definitive “dark website” that consolidates all such information, several reputable sources provide extensive lists and insights
FrontGate Media’s List of 723 Bad Words to Blacklist
This resource offers a detailed compilation of words that are commonly blacklisted to maintain brand safety on platforms like Facebook. It also includes guidance on utilizing Facebook’s moderation tools effectively.
Blacklisting Versus Blocklisting
Even though the word “blacklist” is an industry standard term, I got a “naughty notice” from my Yoast SEO plugin telling me I needed to change the word to something else. Apparently, their AI now thinks that common technology jargon is now potentially harmful. Since that word was in use long before I got into my career in technology in 1994, I’m going to keep using it. There are TV shows with that name. it’s in the dictionary, and it’s not a curse word. In keeping with the tone of this article, I naturally decided to use the warning notice as the article image.
Reddit’s Compilation of 500+ Words to Ban
Within the NewTubers community on Reddit, experienced content creators have shared a Google Doc listing over 500 words that could be problematic for monetization and compliance on platforms like YouTube. This user-generated list reflects collective experiences and insights.
Midjourney’s Banned Words List
If you’re involved in AI-driven platforms like Midjourney, it’s essential to be aware of specific content restrictions. This updated list outlines words related to gore, violence, and explicit content that are prohibited to ensure compliance with community guidelines.
Instagram’s Banned Hashtags
Understanding which hashtags Instagram banned can help maintain engagement and visibility. This guide provides the latest list of prohibited hashtags and explains the reasons behind their restrictions.
Want to completely avoid potential social media bans and maintain your freedom of expression? Then check out my article, The Internet Isn’t Just Social Media.
Anyone Who Works in a Sensitive Field May Have a Shadow Ban
Even if you take all the steps above, you may find that nothing changes. That’s because these steps won’t help if you work in a sensitive field, where organizations practice shadow banning regularly and covertly. This includes those with careers in technology, cybersecurity, etc. There are likely other fields where this is common, but unspoken, practice.
Best of luck starting a side hustle when everything you and your products receive a shadow banned with no recourse. Worse still, your own colleagues may very well be the ones implementing the shadow ban. Lunches and special events may be about to get awkward.
In fact, I have lived under a shadow ban since its inception in 2007 due to my deep work in technology and cybersecurity. My emerging technology combined with AI and cybersecurity research led to the discovery that I was part of the original pilot testing of these programs, unbeknownst to me. Apparently, some folks were concerned about what I might choose to reveal, which resulted in them inadvertently revealing the global technological construction and deployment of shadow banning architecture to me.
Staying Out of Internet Jail and “Double-Plus Good”
By consulting the resources below, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the terminology and topics that various social media platforms often restrict. This knowledge will enable you to navigate these digital spaces more effectively and remain in compliance with their guidelines. Connect with Hunter Storm on her social media but try not to get a social media ban when you do it.
I wonder if George Orwell’s Big Brother would approve of my article and label it, “Double-plus good?” If not, then hopefully, you got a great deal of educational value from it. Better still, I hope you enjoyed it and it put a smile on your face.
Unlock the Secrets of the Digital World with Our Engaging Articles
Dive into our lively collection of articles designed to boost your digital savvy and cybersecurity know-how. From demystifying the differences between websites and platforms to mastering online privacy, our series offers practical insights to help you navigate the internet like a pro.
- About Hunter Storm
- How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It | Part 1 Yandex
- How Algorithmic Mislabeling Hides Helpful Content and What We Can Do About It | Part 2 Google
- How to Build an Online Presence You Actually Own
- Hunter Storm | Author
- Hunter Storm Official Site
- Outsmart the Machine | Cybersecurity Guide for Humans
- Publications
- Quotes
- Site Policies
- The Basics of Online Privacy
- Social Media
- Social Media Platforms Are Just Fancy Websites and Why That Matters
- When Beyoncé Met Hunter Storm’s Look
- Why I Removed Social Media Sharing Buttons
- Why So Many Websites Read Like War and Peace and Why That’s Not an Accident
- Why Some Pages Here Are…Dense
About the Author | Hunter Storm: Technology Executive, Global Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker
CISO | President | Advisory Board Member | Strategic Policy & Intelligence Advisor | SOC Black Ops Team | QED-C TAC Relationship Leader | Principal Security Architect | Systems Architect | Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator | PQC & Quantum‑Era Specialist | Originator of Human‑Layer Security & Hybrid Threat Modeling | Cyber-Physical-Psychological Hybrid Threat Expert | Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Background
Hunter Storm is a veteran Fortune 100 Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Advisory Board Member; Strategic Policy and Intelligence Advisor; SOC Black Ops Team Member; QED-C TAC Relationship Leader; Principal Security Architect; Systems Architect; Risk Assessor; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Quantum Innovator; Cyber-Physical-Psychological (Cyber-Phys-Psy) Hybrid Threat Expert; and Keynote Speaker with deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, and human behavior. She is also a federal whistleblower with documented contributions to institutional accountability and governance integrity. Explore more in her Profile and Career Highlights.
Drawing on over three decades of experience in global Fortune 3 – 100 enterprises, including Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and American Express; aerospace and high-tech manufacturing leaders such as Alcoa and Special Devices (SDI) / Daicel Safety Systems (DSS); and leading technology services firms such as CompuCom, she guides organizations through complex technical, strategic, and operational challenges.
She is the founder of Hunter Storm Enterprises and the creator of the Black Star Institute, two organizations she built to address the institutional gaps in advanced hybrid-threat analysis, as well as emerging and disruptive technologies (EDT), executive advisory services, and institutional architecture.
Global Expert and Subject Matter Expert (SME) | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Strategic Intelligence
Hunter Storm is a globally recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME) in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, quantum technology, intelligence, strategy, and emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) as defined by NATO and other international frameworks.
Hunter Storm is a quantum‑era strategist whose national‑level contributions include participation in QED‑C Technical Advisory Committees evaluating NIST post‑quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithm candidates. She contributed to the early NIST definition of quantum technologies and formally advocated for the establishment of a quantum ethics discipline. As the originator of Human‑Layer Security and Hybrid Threat Modeling, she brings a cross‑domain approach spanning cyber, physical, and psychological threat surfaces. Her work places her among the small group of practitioners who helped shape the United States’ quantum and post‑quantum governance landscape from the inside.
A recognized SME with top-tier expert networks including GLG (Top 1%), AlphaSights, and Third Bridge, Hunter Storm advises Board Members, CEOs, CTOs, CISOs, Founders, and Senior Executives across technology, finance, and consulting sectors. Her insights have shaped policy, strategy, and high-risk decision-making at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, quantum technology, and human-technical threat surfaces.
Bridging Technical Mastery and Operational Agility
Hunter Storm combines technical mastery with real-world operational resilience in high-stakes environments. She builds and protects systems that often align with defense priorities, but serve critical industries and public infrastructure. She combines first-hand; hands-on; real-world cross-domain expertise in risk assessment, security, and ethical governance; and field-tested theoretical research with a proven track record in high-stakes environments that demand both technical acumen and strategic foresight.
Foundational Framework Originator | Hacking Humans: The Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering
Hunter Storm pioneered Hacking Humans | The Ports and Services Model of Social Engineering, introduced and established foundational concepts that have profoundly shaped modern human-centric security disciplines across cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, platform governance, and socio‑technical risk. behavioral security, cognitive defense, human risk modeling, red teaming, social engineering, psychological operations (PsyOps), and biohacking. Hunter Storm introduced system‑level metaphors for human behavior—ports and services, human OSI layers, motivator/state analysis, protocol compatibility, and emotional ports—that now underpin modern approaches to social engineering, human attack surface management, behavioral security, cognitive threat intelligence, and socio‑technical risk. Her original framework continues to inform the practice and theory of cybersecurity today, adopted by governments, enterprises, and global security communities.
Projects | Research and Development (R&D) | Frameworks
Hunter Storm is the creator of The Storm Project | AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and the Future of Intelligence, the largest AI research initiative in history.
Hunter Storm also pioneered the first global forensic mapping of digital repression architecture, suppression, and censorship through her project Viewpoint Discrimination by Design | The First Global Forensic Mapping of Digital Repression Architecture, monitoring platform accountability and digital suppression worldwide.
Achievements, Awards, and Advisory Boards
Hunter Storm is a Mensa member and recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award, reflecting her enduring influence on AI, cybersecurity, quantum, technology, strategy, and global security.
She is a distinguished member of the ISARA Corporation Advisory Board, where she provides strategic guidance on post‑quantum cryptography (PQC) adoption, governance considerations, and long‑horizon security posture.
She is also an Industry Advisory Board at Texas A&M School of Computer Science, where she advises on curricula and strategic initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technology.
Hunter Storm is a trusted contributor to ANSI X9, FS-ISAC, NIST, and QED-C, shaping policy, standards, and strategy at the highest levels.
Hunter Storm is a member of InfraGard, collaborating with public- and private-sector partners on critical infrastructure protection.
She also serves as President of Sonoran Desert Security (SDSUG), providing leadership, governance, innovation, and strengthening the regional security ecosystem.
All-Original, All Hunter Storm
Hunter Storm’s material is not recycled slides, AI-generated fluff, or “borrowed” conference notes. It is not from books, a certification class, a Google search, or a tour of someone’s lab. It is all-original thought leadership and strategic analysis from her operational experience and field work. These are firsthand, hands-on lessons from decades in the field of cybersecurity. Real encounters, real technologies, and real lessons you won’t find anywhere else.
Hunter Storm | The Ultimate Asymmetric Advantage
Hunter Storm is known for solving problems most won’t touch. She combines technical mastery, operational agility, and strategic foresight to protect critical assets and shape the future at the intersection of technology, strategy, and high-risk decision-making.
Hunter Storm reframes human-technical threat surfaces to expose vulnerabilities others miss, delivering the ultimate asymmetric advantage.
Discover Hunter Storm’s full Professional Profile and Career Highlights.
Confidential Contact
Contact Hunter Storm for: consultations, engagements, board memberships, leadership roles, policy advisory, legal strategy, expert witness, or unconventional problems that require highly unconventional solutions.
