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FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

ftc.gov

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Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#3
Something big is brewing. I think there is going to be a big push to reign in social media.

I've thought long about this and can only think of one way to regulate them. I would propose that people are allowed x degrees of separation. As a regular user I can only go n+2 connections. After that the content is not seen no matter how popular. It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast. To increase your separation score you must merit it with a reason and stick to it.

Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#5
post #3

Something big is brewing. I think there is going to be a big push to reign in social media. I've thought long about this and can only think of one way to regulate them. I would propose that people are allowed x degrees of separation. As a regular user I can only go n+2 connections. After that the content is not seen no matter how popular. It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast. To increas…

If that was a legal rule for the internet it would make it illegal for most people to communicate with each other. I don't think this idea is well thought through. That would actually be the government regulating speech and arguably freedom of assembly.

Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#6
post #3

Something big is brewing. I think there is going to be a big push to reign in social media. I've thought long about this and can only think of one way to regulate them. I would propose that people are allowed x degrees of separation. As a regular user I can only go n+2 connections. After that the content is not seen no matter how popular. It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast. To increas…

> It will kill virility

Virility is great if social contagions are assumed benign. I think that's an assumption many no longer make.

Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#7
From the article:

Amazon.com, Inc. [twitch], ByteDance Ltd., which operates the short video service TikTok, Discord Inc., Facebook, Inc., Reddit, Inc., Snap Inc., Twitter, Inc., WhatsApp Inc., and YouTube LLC.

The FTC is seeking information specifically related to:

    how social media and video streaming services collect, use, track, estimate, or derive personal and demographic information;
    how they determine which ads and other content are shown to consumers;
    whether they apply algorithms or data analytics to personal information;
    how they measure, promote, and research user engagement; and
    how their practices affect children and teens.

Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#8
post #3

Something big is brewing. I think there is going to be a big push to reign in social media. I've thought long about this and can only think of one way to regulate them. I would propose that people are allowed x degrees of separation. As a regular user I can only go n+2 connections. After that the content is not seen no matter how popular. It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast. To increas…

It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast.

Why do they have a responsibility to 'reign in stupidity' in the first place? Who gets to decide what's stupid and what's not?

I understand removing illegal content. I understand providing guidelines around content that may not be acceptable for minors. I understand removing (or compartmentalizing) content that is "off topic" (such as a platform dedicated to eSports not wanting traditional sports content). But every attempt that can be made to 'reign in stupidity' means censorship of one form or another and will inevitably be abused.

Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#9
post #3

Something big is brewing. I think there is going to be a big push to reign in social media. I've thought long about this and can only think of one way to regulate them. I would propose that people are allowed x degrees of separation. As a regular user I can only go n+2 connections. After that the content is not seen no matter how popular. It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast. To increas…

This is also great for hiding and suppressing organization of social uprising. This would have totally suppressed all the BLM content this summer.

Re: FTC issues orders to nine social media and video streaming services

#10
post #3

Something big is brewing. I think there is going to be a big push to reign in social media. I've thought long about this and can only think of one way to regulate them. I would propose that people are allowed x degrees of separation. As a regular user I can only go n+2 connections. After that the content is not seen no matter how popular. It will kill virility but should reign in stupidity being broadcast. To increas…

I don’t think the FTC is (or ever will) reign in how “far” content can spread. The FTC is a consumer protection agency so they are most definitely focused on advertising and data collection, not user-generated content or misinformation.
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