Wheeler Wants Facebook, Twitter to Open Algorithm Results
Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter should be required to use open application programming interfaces, so third parties can monitor impacts of social media algorithms, former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in The New York Times. Wheeler cited the…
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recent indictment that special counsel Robert Mueller filed against 13 Russians tied to the Internet Research Agency, a Kremlin-led troll farm that allegedly spread misinformation and vitriolic, political content through social media during the 2016 election. Although that editorial content reached millions, the group was able to hide its algorithms for targeting users behind social media platforms. He noted Uber uses the open API of Google Maps to retrieve information about passenger pickup points and destinations. Wheeler said the proposal would open only the results of a company’s algorithms, not the algorithms themselves. Wheeler repeatedly has pitched open algorithms (see 1711010013). The Computer and Communications Industry Association and Internet Association didn't comment Wednesday.