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arXiv · 2601.08877

Silenced by Design Censorship, Governance, and the Politics of Access in Generative AI Refusal Behavior

Kariema El Touny
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Abstract

This paper examines refusal behavior in generative AI systems through a governance lens. Drawing on historical frameworks of censorship and contemporary design logics, it argues that refusal is not a neutral safeguard but a site of power, shaped by institutional risk management and opaque decision-making. The analysis concludes with user-centered recommendations for ethical refusal design. Keywords: Generative AI governance, AI refusal behavior, Censorship, Ethical design

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Kariema El Touny. 2026-01-12. Silenced by Design Censorship, Governance, and the Politics of Access in Generative AI Refusal Behavior. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.08877

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