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Facebook shut down German research on Instagram algorithm

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Re: Facebook shut down German research on Instagram algorithm

#31

Post by ergocoder »

annadane wrote: post #20
uniqueuid wrote: post #17

I can add some details, knowing AlgorithmWatch a bit. This is a very earnest and credible German NGO, with most of the active people coming from academia and with collaborations with highly-regarded news organizations. An original (english) post is here: https://algorithmwatch.org/en/instagram-research-shut-down-b... Their message is very critical of platforms, but in the international context (i.e. compared to some…

I think the fact they can always claim to be hiding behind Cambridge Analytica is disgusting. They're clearly not the same

I disagree.

If they are truly not the same, then let's make FB not liable for it.

For example, if there is data leak from this, the researchers should all go to jail and FB is not at fault.

I'm sure if German government is honest and truly want to do research, they should have no problem coming up with a law like this.

For now, there is no such protection. If the research group turns out to be bad, FB again will be fucked.

Re: Facebook shut down German research on Instagram algorithm

#32

Post by ergocoder »

uniqueuid wrote: post #18
edmundsauto wrote: post #2

Is it “A chilling echo of NYU ad observatory issues” or did this prevent the German version of Cambridge Analytics? Or is it the response we would have seen out of CA, if they had been stopped before 2016?

AlgorithmWatch is a non-profit, works with international highly regarded news organizations and has open souced the tools [1]. If you want to compare them, then the analogy is more like: "This is the German version of Mozilla doing research on Facebook's Ad library" (which Mozilla found to be severely flawed some years ago). [1] https://github.com/algorithmwatch/tami-tools

Then, let's push for a regulation where the researchers will go to jail if there is a data leak from there.

Surely the regulation should be non-controversial since the researchers are 100% trustworthy like you mentioned.

Unless there is such protection, FB is still liable.

For FB, if the researchers turn out to be good, FB will benefit nothing. If the researchers turn out to be bad, FB will be fucked. I wouldn't want to play this game either.

Re: Facebook shut down German research on Instagram algorithm

#33

Post by fsociety »

annadane wrote: post #20
uniqueuid wrote: post #17

I can add some details, knowing AlgorithmWatch a bit. This is a very earnest and credible German NGO, with most of the active people coming from academia and with collaborations with highly-regarded news organizations. An original (english) post is here: https://algorithmwatch.org/en/instagram-research-shut-down-b... Their message is very critical of platforms, but in the international context (i.e. compared to some…

I think the fact they can always claim to be hiding behind Cambridge Analytica is disgusting. They're clearly not the same

People love to meme that the regulatory action taken against FB didn’t do anything because the fine was too small.. but the truth is this is the reality from it.

Re: Facebook shut down German research on Instagram algorithm

#34

Post by fsociety »

ergocoder wrote: post #32
uniqueuid wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AlgorithmWatch is a non-profit, works with international highly regarded news organizations and has open souced the tools [1]. If you want to compare them, then the analogy is more like: "This is the German version of Mozilla doing research on Facebook's Ad library" (which Mozilla found to be severely flawed some years ago). [1] https://github.com/algorithmwatch/tami-tools

Then, let's push for a regulation where the researchers will go to jail if there is a data leak from there. Surely the regulation should be non-controversial since the researchers are 100% trustworthy like you mentioned. Unless there is such protection, FB is still liable. For FB, if the researchers turn out to be good, FB will benefit nothing. If the researchers turn out to be bad, FB will be fucked. I wouldn't want…

What if the data leak was out of their control, aka should researchers be liable to field advanced, expensive security teams to protect against the liability of this suggested regulation.

I 100% agree with your sentiment, but I think the answer is incredibly complex.

Re: Facebook shut down German research on Instagram algorithm

#35

Post by lovecg »

fsociety wrote: post #33
annadane wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the fact they can always claim to be hiding behind Cambridge Analytica is disgusting. They're clearly not the same

People love to meme that the regulatory action taken against FB didn’t do anything because the fine was too small.. but the truth is this is the reality from it.

Exactly. This (strict enforcement of terms and conditions and locking down user data) was the desired outcome of the actions taken, and will probably result in fewer leaks down the road which is fine with me. I’m actually glad they seem to be serious about it by even going after these “controversial” cases. I frankly don’t understand what people want them to do.
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