Journal article 1193 views 169 downloads
Recommender systems and the amplification of extremist content
,
Sean Looney,
Alastair Reed ,
Fabio Votta
Internet Policy Review, Volume: 10, Issue: 2
Swansea University Authors:
Joe Whittaker , Sean Looney, Alastair Reed
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DOI (Published version): 10.14763/2021.2.1565
Abstract
Policymakers have recently expressed concerns over the role of recommendation algorithms and their role in forming “filter bubbles.” This is a particularly prescient concern in the context of extremist content online; these algorithms may promote extremist content at the expense of more moderate voi...
| Published in: | Internet Policy Review |
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| ISSN: | 2197-6775 |
| Published: |
Internet Policy Review, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society
2021
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57054 |
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| Abstract: |
Policymakers have recently expressed concerns over the role of recommendation algorithms and their role in forming “filter bubbles.” This is a particularly prescient concern in the context of extremist content online; these algorithms may promote extremist content at the expense of more moderate voices. In this article, we make two contributions to this debate. Firstly, we provide a novel empirical analysis of three platforms’ recommendation systems when interacting with far-right content. We find that one platform – YouTube – does amplify extreme and fringe content, while two – Reddit and Gab – do not. Secondly, we contextualise these findings into the regulatory debate. There are currently few policy instruments for dealing with algorithmic amplification, and those that do exist largely focus on transparency. We argue that policymakers have yet to fully understand the problems inherent in “de-amplifying” legal, borderline content and argue that a co-regulatory approach may offer a route towards tackling many of these challenges. |
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| Keywords: |
Filter bubble, Online radicalisation, Algorithms, Extremism, Regulation |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
Global Research Network on Terrorism & Technology |
| Issue: |
2 |