News and Research articles on Algorithms

The paper contributes to the further development of platform studies by looking at the early stages of development. It draws on insights from an exemplary research and innovation project that aimed to develop a "diversity-aware online social platform".

We develop an approach to observe the algorithmically-tuned nature of digital advertising by creating visualisations of ad sequences from a citizen scientist data-donation project.

Recommendation algorithms potentially amplifying extremist content has become a policy concern in recent years. We conduct a novel empirical experiment on three platforms (YouTube, Reddit, and Gab) to test this phenomenon. We find that YouTube’s “Recommended for you” system does promote extreme content. We synthesise the findings into the policy debate and argue that co-regulation may provide some solutions.

This article proposes the concept of platform observability to help systematically study complex algorithmic systems. It sets out three broad principles as guidelines for making platforms more accountable.

Algorithmic processing of personal data is challenging the role of consent. Which are the necessary adaptations to maintain this important tool in data protection regulation?

This paper analyses the aftermath of the advertiser revolt on YouTube to draw out the broader implications of the controversy as it relates to the algorithmic gatekeeping of culture. It argues that the event shows as never before that decisions about categorisation and classification of cultural content invariably affect the financial trajectory of the said content. It ends by calling for broader stakeholder participation within key decision-making processes of digital platforms.

Algorithms are hidden everywhere in our daily lives. They regulate us, in a sense. How can we, then, take part in the governance by algorithms?