YSK that all lemmy instances have an open moderation log by default!
Not saying that our mods here aren't doing a great job! Just the opposite! I think they are doing a phenomenal job! However, as users we should keep an eye on the logs to make sure power is kept in check. You can always view the modlog at the bottom of your browser window!
But I wonder, why are removed posts just hidden? You can still access the links from the ModLog itself, URLs probably still appear in search engines, along with any images / content.
It would make sense if they are kept for a while so that others can check for abusive behaviour, but are they ever actually purged?
AFAIK it was similar on reddit. You could still see content removed from the sub in a user's history. I think the mechanism they're trying to argue they're controlling is promotion of that content. Especially here where no one "owns" it, it just is. Being seen to promote illegal content is what the heat comes from.