[raxxor]

> Where have I heard this before?

Maybe in EU legislation where this privileged access is now mandated by law for every certified fact checker.

Although these aren't conventional fact checkers, they just "flag" content.

> Trusted flaggers are public and private actors with privileged access to internet platforms through which they can identify illegal and harmful content. Before DSA, trusted flaggers existed as a voluntary system.

https://www.techpolicy.press/building-trust-in-the-digital-s...

> diverse funding streams

They are not independent enough and would develop their own interests.

> narrative of persecution that serves fascistic rhetorical goals.

Yeah, fascists are known to flag content too. Otherwise this is complete conjecture.

> no institution can be trusted

No institution, which will always be dependent on government funding and special legislation, can be trusted to moderate internet content. That much is true.