Lawmakers Propose Bill That Would Let Users Turn Off Social Media Engagement Algorithms

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram rely on algorithms to help make its content more engaging. This is usually done by showing users content that they might be interested in from people or pages that they interact with often. The idea is that this would make users want to spend more time using their products.

This is versus back in the day where content was displayed based on time and when it was posted. Obviously the newer algorithms make the platforms more engaging, but House lawmakers want that to change. According to a report from Axios, the lawmakers have put forward a bill that would force companies like Meta to offer up a version of their services that are algorithm free, or give users an option to turn it off.

Speaking to the publication, Rep. David Cicilline said, “Facebook and other dominant platforms manipulate their users through opaque algorithms that prioritize growth and profit over everything else. Due to these platforms’ monopoly power and dominance, users are stuck with few alternatives to this exploitative business model, whether it is in their social media feed, on paid advertisements, or in their search result.”

If this sounds familiar, it is because a couple of months ago, the Chinese government had also announced plans to develop rules for the algorithms that tech companies use to attract users.

Tyler Lee
Categories: General
Tags: Legal