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Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

theguardian.com

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Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#151

Post by reducesuffering »

babesh wrote: post #149

Facebook is power and control over several billion people and countries across the world. That is superpower level power. Mark Zuckerberg will never give up that level of power because either he wields that power or someone else will. Weak countries don’t matter in matters of power and this is an example of it. Also, Facebook has no issues at all when it comes to manipulation when it is to its benefit. It has done so…

> Mark Zuckerberg will never give up that level of power because either he wields that power or someone else will.

I'm leaning towards this is the most misunderstood aspect of Zuckerberg. The Google founders also lamented how difficult it was to steer morally straight when so many internal company issues arose when the stock price was flat: their most talented employees leaving and morale dropping. Zuckerberg is a smart cookie and is probably quite aware what's been created with Facebook. But it's absolutely worse under a bean-counter "money at all cost" corporation. Long term, federating and allowing people to retain their social graph across any client platform, breaking up the network effect, seems to be the only way forward.

Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#152

Post by reducesuffering »

csemaan wrote: post #70
jamespo wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's your motivation with this account, that seemingly only exists to defend FB?

That's true, I barely ever contributed here (maybe never), although I enjoy reading and following the comments. I have always been annoyed by the naïve FB-hate, particularly because it forced FB to cave to the media powers. There came a once in a lifetime opportunity to free us from the 'one-eyed-propaganda' of media conglomerates, and us the victims, shot the only probable source of escape.

> "There came a once in a lifetime opportunity to free us from the 'one-eyed-propaganda' of media conglomerates, and us the victims, shot the only probable source of escape."

Have you seen the rampant propaganda and manipulation of facts from social-media-driven left wing and right wing groups? It is far more inaccurate and vile.

Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#153

Post by reducesuffering »

csemaan wrote: post #99
syops wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So who are the non-MSM in your opinion? Facebook is more than merely and aggregator. They know how to keep peoples' eyes glued to them. They know what stories/narratives will push your buttons so to speak.

I am sorry I can't answer your question: I read many many sources (from big name media to small time bloggers), contrast and apply common sense. I know my limitations to access the 'truth', and I live with that, always in doubt. That said, regarding Facebook, I genuinely never used it really (I have a placeholder account), never used Instagram, never used Messenger, never installed any of these apps on my phone, neve…

> "That said, regarding Facebook, I genuinely never used it really (I have a placeholder account), never used Instagram, never used Messenger"

Then you have a very limited understanding of the extreme issues with viral social media misinformation filter bubbles.

Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#155

Post by rscoots »

Jonnax wrote: post #20
franklampard wrote: post #11

Better headline: ex employee thinks there are too many fake Facebook pages accounts

But you think that's not a problem? That fake accounts that signal boost support for political figures is fine election campaigning?

It's only a problem if citizens are somehow influenced by the # of Facebook likes a politician gets.

Those who'd hold Facebook to account for not programmatically 'fixing' this would do well to also acknowledge the underlying human failings that make these shady strategies allegedly effective.

Maybe even a small attempt to improve voter literacy in Honduras?

Easier to just shift the entire moral blame to FB and implicitly hope every similar social media company acquiesces to your worldview forever.

Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#156

Post by csemaan »

reducesuffering wrote: post #152
csemaan wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's true, I barely ever contributed here (maybe never), although I enjoy reading and following the comments. I have always been annoyed by the naïve FB-hate, particularly because it forced FB to cave to the media powers. There came a once in a lifetime opportunity to free us from the 'one-eyed-propaganda' of media conglomerates, and us the victims, shot the only probable source of escape.

> "There came a once in a lifetime opportunity to free us from the 'one-eyed-propaganda' of media conglomerates, and us the victims, shot the only probable source of escape." Have you seen the rampant propaganda and manipulation of facts from social-media-driven left wing and right wing groups? It is far more inaccurate and vile.

That's exactly why I think it could have saved us from the one-eyed worldview of media powers. Just weed through the forest and work your brain to collect 'information'.

Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#157

Post by marcusjt »

titzer wrote: post #135
blfr wrote: post #34

> The investigation shows how Facebook has allowed major abuses of its platform in poor, small and non-western countries in order to prioritize addressing abuses that attract media attention or affect the US and other wealthy countries. The company acted quickly to address political manipulation affecting countries such as the US, Taiwan, South Korea and Poland, while moving slowly or not at all on cases in Afghanist…

> Alternatively, Facebook itself is more interested in manipulating political outcomes in the US, Taiwan, South Korea, and Poland.... It's even worse than that, and more craven. They are only interested in maximizing shareholder revenue, and have absolutely no loyalty or political agenda beyond that. They lack any moral compass and are only held in check by the potential for consequences, be that in the marketplace o…

If true then surely that's better, not worse, as it means that Facebook simply needs to be suitably (financially) incentivised to change its behaviour - perhaps achievable via tighter regulation, penalties & rewards, etc etc.

Re: Facebook slow to address political manipulation outside wealthy, western nations

#158

Post by leroman »

We're suffering from this here as well (in Israel), we're already in the 4th consecutive election and it looks like there will be a fifth. Bibi's (and his family) use of social platforms has been in forms of - posts with blatant lies - fake profiles posting fake inciting content that is then used in their own campaigns to incite their base - fake likes - fake profiles that generate content It's got to the point that we just call any Bibi supporter as a "Bot" (once because they don't get our credit for critical thinking and second time because of the many fake profiles that generate content in his name)
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