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Algorithms

Facebook app on phone | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@brett_jordan?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Brett Jordan</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/tWX_ho-328k?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Social Media

Studies Keep Finding That Social Media Algorithms Don't Increase Polarization. Why Is the Press So Skeptical?

New research on Facebook before the 2020 election finds scant evidence to suggest algorithms are shifting our political views.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.29.2023 7:00 AM

Child surrounded by green lines | Illustration: Lex Villena

Children

Child Welfare Algorithm May Unfairly Target Disabled Parents, Complaints to DOJ Allege

"When you have technology designed by humans, the bias is going to show up in the algorithms," said one former child welfare worker.

Emma Camp | 2.2.2023 5:15 PM

The Supreme Court will decide whether YouTube can be sued for pointing users to ISIS videos. | NordWood Themes/Unsplash

Social Media

The Hazards of Holding YouTube Liable for Promoting Terrorism

A Supreme Court case illustrates the potential costs of making it easier to sue social media platforms over user-generated content.

Jacob Sullum | 1.18.2023 12:01 AM

The Supreme Court of the United States |  Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA/Newscom

Technology

Google's Brief to the Supreme Court Explains Why We Need Section 230

There's a good reason why algorithms are still protected by Section 230.

David McGarry | 1.13.2023 5:00 PM

algorithms | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson; Source image: Misha Shutkevych/iStock

Social Media

In Defense of Algorithms

They're good for us. They might even be good for democracy.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.7.2022 7:30 AM

thumbnail4 |  Illustration: Lex Villena; Victor Koldunov, Leigh Prather, Andrey Burmakin | Dreamstime.com

Social Media

YouTube Algorithms Don't Turn Unsuspecting Masses Into Extremists, New Study Suggests

A new study casts doubt on the most prominent theories about extremism-by-algorithm.

Liz Wolfe | 4.26.2022 8:40 AM

thumbnail (9) | Illustration: Lex Villena; Steve Jurvetson

Elon Musk

Elon Musk Buys Twitter, Twitter's Biggest Egos Melt Down

The SpaceX/Tesla founder and billionaire has articulated lofty free speech ideals. Can he make them reality?

Liz Wolfe | 4.25.2022 3:41 PM

facebookfeed_1161x653 | Petrajz / Dreamstime.com

Algorithms

Let's Not Have a Bunch of Posturing Politicians Decide How Online Algorithms Should Work

The latest bill to “fight big tech” could turn your online experience into a miserable slog.

Scott Shackford | 11.11.2021 2:30 PM

sipaphotoseleven984283 | Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/Newscom

Coronavirus

Elizabeth Warren Demands That Amazon Crack Down on COVID Misinformation

Amazon's customers are apparently unable to judge the veracity of COVID-related information for themselves.

Liz Wolfe | 9.14.2021 10:55 AM

youtube_1161x653 | Piotr Swat / Dreamstime.com

Censorship

What Should We Do If YouTube Censors on Behalf of the Chinese Communist Party?

Technological—not political—solutions will secure true freedom of speech online

Andrea O'Sullivan | 6.2.2020 8:30 AM

westendrf334770 | zerocreatives Westend61/Newscom

Social Media

6 Terrible New Tech Bills in Congress

While expressing concern for free speech and privacy, lawmakers are seriously threatening both.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.8.2019 7:00 AM

Large image on homepages

China

New Chinese App Lets Users ID Debtors Lurking Nearby

How would you like it if nearby strangers could instantly access your credit score on their phones?

Ronald Bailey | 1.25.2019 3:45 PM

Large image on homepages | shuoshu/iStock

Algorithms

What If the Algorithms Are Racist?

Ronald Bailey | 1.1.2019 12:00 PM

Large image for longform feature pages. | Joanna Andreasson. Source images: PhonlamaiPhoto/iStock, Wikimedia

Algocracy

Can Algorithms Run Things Better Than Humans?

Welcome to the rise of the algocracy.

Ronald Bailey | 12.16.2018 6:00 AM

Large image on homepages | Google photo: Thomas Peter/REUTERS/Newscom; Trump photo: PAPPIS JEAN PIERRE POLARIS/SIPA/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Trump Says His Crummy Google Results May Be a Crime: Reason Roundup

Plus: "Sheriff Joe" Arpaio faces voters again, states go after sexual-assault NDAs, and Louisiana florists fight licensing exams.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.28.2018 9:30 AM

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