The Public Sphere in the Age of Algorithms and Three Major Concerns

Summary

The article discusses the impact of algorithms on the public sphere, highlighting three major concerns: the manipulation of content visibility, the use of algorithms in politics, and the biases inherent in algorithm design.

Abstract

The public sphere's dynamics have been transformed by the advent of algorithms, which are now central to managing online behaviors on platforms like Facebook and Google. The 2016 Facebook scandal underscored the potential for algorithms to skew democratic processes, prompting a closer examination of their societal impact. The article outlines three key issues: first, algorithms determine content visibility, acting as gatekeepers by prioritizing certain information based on user interactions. Second, algorithms are employed in both domestic and foreign political strategies, influencing public opinion and raising questions about governmental regulation. Third, the design of algorithms often lacks user feedback, leading to embedded biases that can perpetuate discrimination, as evidenced by research on search engine results. The conclusion calls for a thorough evaluation of these concerns to mitigate the negative effects of algorithms on politics and society.

Opinions

Algorithms have the power to manipulate political outcomes by controlling the visibility of content, which is a significant concern for the integrity of democratic processes.
The use of algorithms in politics, including the use of bots to sway public opinion and pad follower counts, is a practice that requires scrutiny and regulation.
The lack of user feedback in algorithm design can lead to biases, which in turn can create a feedback loop of discriminatory information distribution, as seen in search engine results that disproportionately associate black names with negative outcomes.
Despite the potential for algorithms to promote civic engagement and positive social change, their current implementation raises serious ethical and societal questions that must be addressed.
Governmental organizations have a role in influencing and using algorithms, but the extent of this influence, especially on a global scale, is a matter of ongoing debate and legislative action.

The Public Sphere in the Age of Algorithms and Three Major Concerns

In light of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal, which was when Facebook breached data protection laws by giving Cambridge Analytica personal data of 87 million people, it became apparent that organizations are trying to influence politics through the media. Algorithms are now the center of attention, as they are increasingly used by tech giants, such as Facebook and Google, to manage and manipulate online behaviors…

Background

Democracy by its very definition is having the public come together and freely discuss and exchange ideas. As the internet became increasingly popular, policymakers began influencing the public sphere through a digital lens. Social media platforms have taken over traditional media forms such as the newspaper and radio and are now the primary way through which information is distributed. While there is an argument that new media promotes civic engagement and increases voter turnout, it also has its flaws. With the digital age of algorithms, those in power are exploiting citizens by fraudulently manipulating consumer behavior while consumers are completely oblivious. The 2016 Facebook scandal proved that the media could skew results for elections, and it raises important questions regarding the potential impact of algorithms in society. This article will break down three major concerns of algorithms in the public sphere.

#1 Algorithms Actively Determine Visibility of Content

Algorithms in their automated nature are used to classify, filter, and prioritize content based on the actions of the users. Whether intentional or unintentional, algorithms now function like a columnist and have the ability to show content and information they deem important and necessary to users. The “Trending” page on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook are determined by personal preferences, thus the algorithms actively promote these pages. This means that certain events, whether random TikTok videos of cats or a major natural disaster become more widespread than ever. Algorithms’ control over the visibility of content changes how social media functions and raises the question of how creators can tailor their content to a particular algorithm.

#2 Algorithms Used in Domestic and Foreign Affairs

It is no secret that political actors used algorithms to influence society and citizens on a domestic scale. Studies on algorithm’s effect on election outcomes are a prime example of the capabilities of algorithms in the digital sphere. Companies now use bots to flood a particular topic and push certain messages into the public view. In addition, politicians often pad the follower count with bots to build a successful public image. Furthermore, censorship policies and search engines now play an integral role in international affairs between platforms and states. In response to potential threats of algorithms, the US has passed laws in recent years that prevent the influence of algorithms and propaganda. However, the implementation of such policies can not make a company change its algorithms for political purposes. The question remains: to what degree can governmental organizations influence and use algorithms on a domestic and global scale?

#3 Algorithms Designed Without User Feedback Lead to Biases

As machine learning becomes more dominant in today’s data-driven world, it is vital to consider the potential biases introduced by algorithms. Algorithms are designed to be neutral and made to be easily used by consumers, but biases enter regardless of their original principle. Biases can create a “loop” that spreads in search and information distribution. For example, research by Latanya Sweeney of Harvard found that searches for black-identifying names differ from white-identifying names, with searches for black names more likely to return arrest records and negative news (Sweeney in Caplan and Boyd 2016). This inherent discrimination introduced by algorithms is only the tip of the iceberg and unfortunately contributes to a network of biases. This issue certainly needs to be addressed moving forward as algorithms become increasingly prevalent in the world.

Conclusion:

Algorithms have become the center of attention in the data-driven digital sphere of the 21st century. While algorithms have the potential to promote civic engagement and spread positivity, they also have some significant drawbacks. The evaluation and solution to the three prominent concerns discussed in this article will be necessary as algorithms continue to influence politics, media, and the public.

Reference(s):

Caplan, R., & Boyd, D. (2016, May 13). Meditation, Automation, Power. Data & Society.