Cambridge Analytica etc. (blog post 8)
I wholeheartedly believe that social media platforms should be held responsible for regulating the content of their users.
The specific role of Section 230 which is connected to the Communications Decency Act has shown to be foundational and rudimentary in shaping the Internet as we all know it, today. This Act, though, provides a sort of immunity to online platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, for the content that is posted by their users. This allows the platforms to moderate content, at their discretion, that they find objectionable in any capacity. But nothing is perfect, and this legal shield of immunity has shown to have been used by platforms as a chance to avoid accountability for harmful content and a poor, negligent way of handling situations regarding user data.
A recent example of this misuse of user data is the scandal involving Cambridge Analytica. This scandal is vastly alarming and was brought to the public’s attention revealing that user data from Facebook was purposefully exploited without any awareness or proper consent. When this incident was exposed, many became aware of the dark, dark underside of data privacy, or lack thereof, on social media platforms. With this act of data collection having a connection with voting and Presidential Elections, there were significant concerns that started circling about the integrity and truth behind democratic processes.
Sticking on the idea of the political impact that this scandal has on elections, I want to mention the vastness of this case. It is truly quite challenging, even now over five years later, to quantify the exact numerical impact that Cambridge Analytica’s actions had on elections. Utilizing targeted advertising actions and micro-targeting techniques through data collection, they proved that there was obvious manipulation and that it really isn’t that obscure of a concept. The electoral process has stood tried and true for years and years, but now in the digital age, questions have been raised about the fairness, trueness, and transparency of these processes, turning some away from voting and politics altogether.
Touching on why I believe that social media platforms should bear the responsibility of content regulation on their platforms. All media platforms, but those like Facebook and Twitter wield immense influence over public discourse and therefore hold a sense of responsibility or duty to protect their user’s privacy. After being exposed to scandals like this, and doing other brief research, is hard to believe that these platforms care about maintaining integrity or trust from their users, but really, they don’t need to because many are unaware, and many also turn a blind eye. I also want to make sure it is clear that I don’t think media platforms need to hover over every user and every account and monitor what is being posted or shared, but I do think that there needs to be accountability enabled in their role for facilitating or allowing harmful content and activities on these sites, and most importantly for misusing user data.
Through discussion in this class, and just in and around my life, I think it is safe to say that there is a growing, similar, consensus that social media platforms do need to be subject to much greater regulation. Specifically, regarding or concerning user privacy, and protection of user data. While I will always remain skeptical, I think that extended measures like increased transparency requirements and agreement forms, as well as a stricter oversight of data collection practices. A balance must be found between protecting the free speech rights of individuals and users while also preventing and not standing for harmful content, inappropriate uses of the platforms, and widespread misinformation.
All in all, I think progress can and needs to be made, and while I am not an expert, social media platforms truly do need to take proactive steps to start addressing user privacy concerns and care about upholding the integrity of the platforms. A fit balance, like I mentioned, between preserving and maintaining freedom of speech, while simultaneously safeguarding user privacy is essential in maintaining and reshaping our digital world.
