Imagine a land in which Big Tech can't send you down online rabbit holes or use algorithms to overcharge you
- Reference: 1732512548
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/11/25/china_algorithm_transparency/
- Source link:
Beijing's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), on Sunday launched a campaign to crack down on such practices and the recommendation algorithms that power them.
What many refer to as echo chambers, the CAC has [1]called "information cocoons." It wants to force tech providers into coming up with ways to prevent them, and has called for a ban on pushing "highly homogeneous content."
[2]
Which is not to say that dissent against the Communist Party or Socialist ideals is being encouraged or allowed – let's not get crazy here.
[3]
[4]
"Users must not be compelled to select interest tags, illegal or harmful information must not be used in user tags or for targeted content, and personal information should not be collected beyond what is necessary for content recommendations," stated the CAC.
While surely the CAC is aware of the role social media echo chambers play in [5]influencing public opinion, the regulator cited the risk of internet addiction as its main motivation.
[6]
The CAC has also called for increased transparency over how the algorithms work – including publicly disclosing how online platforms rank content to prevent their misuse for spreading hype, according to the regulator.
Using algorithms for discriminatory pricing is also on the naughty list. China's e-commerce industry – a business segment on which Beijing has pinned its hopes as an economic driver and [7]source of export revenue – has increasingly come to rely on the algorithms.
The CAC's directive orders that platforms are not able to target differentiated pricing on products based on factors like age, occupation, and consumption level, and that there must be transparency when issuing or rejecting discount coupons.
[8]China wants mobile devices to limit usage time for minors, ensure they only see nice content
[9]China's internet regulator details algorithms used by local Big Tech players
[10]Facebook Oversight Board upholds decision to ban Trump, asks FB to look at own 'potential contribution' to 'narrative of electoral fraud'
[11]Beijing wants more outfits like Temu teeming around the world
Businesses have been given until the end of the year to assess and self-correct their practices, with local authorities required to step up and assess matters in January. By mid-February, a more thorough government assessment is expected to be completed, signifying the end of the campaign.
Penalties for violations were not defined, but were promised to match the extent of any violation.
[12]
Beijing drew its eye toward [13]monitoring algorithms back in March of 2022. At that time, it required platforms make it possible to opt out of targeted content. It also dictated that tech services make their algorithms public.
In August, it revealed a rare look behind the curtain of the nation's most influential platforms, when it released details of 30 algorithms used by the likes of Alibaba, ByteDance, Tencent, Baidu and more.
Those actions were explained as part of an effort to open internet service providers to regulatory scrutiny and promote "positive energy" across its internet.
Beijing admits that although it's come a long way in two years, it would like to further its progress.
"The algorithm application ecosystem has become increasingly standardized, but there are still some typical problems that need to be continuously strengthened," wrote the CAC on Sunday. ®
Get our [14]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.cac.gov.cn/2024-11/24/c_1734143936205514.htm
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z0RY1lPLBgOPLAjC-o40MQAAAEg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z0RY1lPLBgOPLAjC-o40MQAAAEg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z0RY1lPLBgOPLAjC-o40MQAAAEg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://2017-2021.state.gov/elections-101-the-role-of-social-media-in-us-elections/
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z0RY1lPLBgOPLAjC-o40MQAAAEg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/12/china_ecommerce_expansion_policy/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/20/china_minor_mode/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/15/cac_publishes_big_tech_algorithms/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/05/facebook_oversight_board_upholds_decision_trump_ban/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/12/china_ecommerce_expansion_policy/
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_security/front&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z0RY1lPLBgOPLAjC-o40MQAAAEg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/15/cac_publishes_big_tech_algorithms/
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Some good ideas but at what cost
Orwellian? The Chinese Communist Party? Who would have thought ...
Re: The idea that "Echo chambers" are forbidden would kill some Social Media sites immediately
... luesky, Mastodon, Truth Social etc... Is that really a good thing, regardless of your political swing ?
If a "social"media site lives off the business case to create echo chambers that catch users to benefit their bottom line (or political leaning) and divide/hurt society in the process, then yes, I think it would be a good thing if they die. Regardless of their political affiliation.
This coming from the Chinese government that tries to run their whole domestic Internet as one big state-controlled echo chamber, is, hoever, beyond ironic.
The actual motivation there might be more protcting their domestic echo chamber from the effects of rivaling echo chambers.
So yes, I agree with "too Orwellian"
Re: Some good ideas but at what cost
Many people don't desire echo chambers.
Sure, there are some who block anyone with any disagreement to them, but the majority simply want to block evil trolls and bigots who can't debate, but only abuse and insult. Unfortunately, that means blocking most of the right wing these days. That makes it a community, not an echo chamber.
Re: Some good ideas but at what cost
Unfortunately, that means blocking most of the right wing these days
And the left. Look at the "debates" in things like trans or LGBTQ issues, where anyone mildly disagreeing with the prevailing orthodoxy from the left is screamed out of the room.
Best to avoid social media altogether, it's just toxic.
Re: Some good ideas but at what cost
Best to avoid social media altogether, it's just toxic.
I wonder at times. Just what is the difference between discussions on Social Media and discussions in the Register comments section?
Not that I'm a fan of Social Media because I'm not.
Re: Some good ideas but at what cost
The idea that "Echo chambers" are forbidden would kill some Social Media sites immediately , Bluesky, Mastodon, Truth Social etc... Is that really a good thing, regardless of your political swing ?
We don't need algorithmic-driven echo chambers, Bluesky and Mastodon both have strictly chronological timelines and people seem to like using both. In Mastodon you choose an instance which deals with your main interest. I haven't tried Bluesky, but I've read that when you create an account you can choose a number of "starter packs", each starter pack contains a number of accounts which post mainly about a certain interest and you can follow one or all of them.
Would it be a good thing if Truth Social were killed immediately? Truth Social is its own echo chamber, but I expect users will end up migrated to X anyway one way or another.
Can they get rid of other commercial website b.s. too ?
"Act now ! 6 other people have this item in their basket ! buy now or you're too late ! you only have 25 minutes left !"...
The CCP would prefer to be the only entity that can manipulate and control the populace in such ways. Or maybe they're just genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of Chinese citizens. Lol.
I have to admit
Apart from the censorship, there are a lot of things concerning the Internet that rather like in how China is trying to shape it.
Of course, there's the unfortunate fact that China is shaping it for political reasons only, but still, there are some good ideas there.
So-called "social media" sites will have to be reigned in one day. Things have already gotten out of hand with tracking and they're getting worse.
It might be good to analyze Beijing's decision under the eye of freedom of expression and freedom from tracking.
Highly homogeneous content
Somewhat ironic this article is immediately adjacent to [1]Google blocked 1,000-plus pro-China fake news websites .
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/25/google_beijing_propaganda/
See [1]https://disconnect.me/
Despite the business-looking page, scroll down - there is a free version.
[1] https://disconnect.me/
Some good ideas but at what cost
I like the idea that Airlines and Holiday companies wouldn't be allowed to use algorithms that dynamically track usage which then determines supply/demand pricing on the fly.
The idea that "Echo chambers" are forbidden would kill some Social Media sites immediately , Bluesky, Mastodon, Truth Social etc... Is that really a good thing, regardless of your political swing ?
I can understand some of the financial stuff but the Social Media stuff seems a little bit too much Orwellian. Micromanaging the Internet is never going to end well.