Internet plagiarism controversy involving Substack highlighting current digital era's issues
In the world of online publishing, Substack has become a popular platform for writers and readers alike. However, a recent plagiarism scandal involving user Maalvika has raised concerns about the platform's approach to content authenticity, particularly in the era of AI-generated content.
The controversy began when social scientist Katie Jgln accused Maalvika of plagiarizing one of her essays, published on Substack in 2024. A comparison of the two pieces revealed that the body of Maalvika's essay was a near copy-paste job of Jgln's, with some changes to make it appear different.
Maalvika has since admitted to using Jgln's exact words and phrasing in her essay, which she calls a mistake. She claims she saved Jgln's essay in her notes over a year ago and planned to write something in a similar spirit.
The heated response to the plagiarism allegations suggests that many users prefer to support the original creator. The scandal has made Maalvika a 'main character' on Substack, with users unified in condemnation. The controversy has been widely discussed on the platform in the last few days.
Maalvika, who became Substack's top new Bestseller after a new essay on 'compression culture' went viral on the platform, addressed the allegations in a statement on Substack. She apologised for hurting anyone with her actions.
Substack's current policies against plagiarism are notably limited and non-committal, especially regarding enforcement and responses to incidents. The platform's guidelines do not provide strong, proactive anti-plagiarism measures, which has led to criticism that Substack may inadvertently enable plagiarism due to weak internal search and moderation tools.
The question of authenticity is extremely relevant given the increased use of AI-generated content. In the context of AI, which is increasingly difficult to distinguish from original writing, Substack’s approach raises concerns about maintaining authenticity and transparency. The controversy around high-profile cases on the platform—such as a newsletter that became a bestseller amid plagiarism accusations—highlights the tension between valuing original creators and dealing with plagiarized or AI-generated material.
Despite growing calls for stricter policies, past Substack leadership has favoured a relatively hands-off or "free speech" approach to content moderation, which complicates more robust anti-plagiarism actions. Rather than enforcing stringent anti-plagiarism rules or implementing advanced detection technologies, Substack’s current actions appear focused on community-driven accountability (public calling out) and transparency, leaving significant gaps given the challenges posed by AI and the platform’s weak search infrastructure that makes plagiarism easier.
The financial model of Substack, which allows users to monetize their posts, raises questions about the platform's responsibility in cases of plagiarism. Transparency may be just as important as quality in 2025, particularly in the face of AI-generated content. The plagiarism scandal raises questions about the integrity of content on Substack and whether platforms should do more to penalize copycats.
As the debate continues, it is clear that Substack, like many online platforms, faces challenges in maintaining the balance between free speech, community accountability, and the protection of original content in the age of AI.
- The controversy surrounding Maalvika's plagiarism on Substack has brought the importance of maintaining content authenticity into sharp focus, especially in the era of AI-generated content.
- The scandal has raised questions about whether platforms should do more to penalize copycats, in the context of AI-generated content becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from original writing.
- In the realm of digital art and creative design, Substack's current approach to plagiarism appears to be insufficient, with limited and non-committal policies.
- The design of more robust anti-plagiarism measures, incorporating advanced detection technologies, has been neglected by Substack, instead relying on community-driven accountability and transparency.
- The impact of this plagiarism scandal on Substack extends beyond its platform, with implications for the broader online entertainment industry that relies on original content.
- As the debate about plagiarism and AI on Substack continues, the platform must grapple with the delicate balance between free speech, community accountability, and the protection of original content in the digital age.