Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #Techhearings
Most recents (6)
Just jumping into this stream as @SenBlumenthal calls for a follow-up round of #TechHearings with non-industry voices. Confirms industry must forgo self-regulation and that Europeans and Californians don't deserve "better" privacy than all Americans, nor an "undue hardship"
"We don't sell data…but we reserve the right to share it…with consent…(buried in legalese)" — the "we don't sell data" line is insulting to all of our intelligence, all those who know what the term "monetize" means.
Reviewing apps in App Store and Google Play that violate #COPPA laws that protect children. App developers self-certify they're compliant. Inherent weakness of FTC on full display here. Industry enforcement is just not a threat to platforms. The violation of COPPA is endemic.
1/ The #TechHearings looked at Facebook's attempts to stop election meddling – in part by making political ads more transparent.
Using our Political Ad Collector, we're publishing the interesting choices advertisers make when targeting ads to your feed.
propub.li/2wP671i
Using our Political Ad Collector, we're publishing the interesting choices advertisers make when targeting ads to your feed.
propub.li/2wP671i
2/ When NYC proposed a law capping the number of @Uber cars, the ride hailing company spent $20,000 in Facebook ads to target anyone who liked Black Lives Matter.
propub.li/2oJydGK
propub.li/2oJydGK
3/ Marsy’s Law.
The biggest political advertiser on Facebook that you may (or may not) have heard of. propub.li/2M467zv
The biggest political advertiser on Facebook that you may (or may not) have heard of. propub.li/2M467zv
Sheryl Sandberg is asked about selling/sharing data. She says "we sell ads", implying they don't sell data. That's true, but no defense. Facebook sells users' attention to advertisers by profiling them based on extensive surveillance. That's the root problem. #techhearings
Sandberg/Facebook is asked what they don't allow. She says "hate speech/bullying, etc."—as per TOS. Fine, but the real action is the process that FB (and the industry) uses to police content. That's where it all goes down, as shaped by business model—how the cost center operates.
Marco Rubio asked a very good question. It's one thing for Sandberg/Dorsey to come wrapped in "our values" to the US Congressional hearings. But they operate worldwide—billions of people use these sites as public/social sphere. This is a crucial, thorny issue. #techhearings
In just fifteen minutes a full day of #techhearings begins. This morning Jack Dorsey, Sheryl Sandberg, and an empty chair (representing Google) will testify before the Senate Intel Committee. Later today Jack Dorsey will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
I'll be live-tweeting both #techhearings today. If you'd like to follow along here are some handy resources to help you get the most out of them, starting with the post I wrote previewing today's hearings for @mmfa. mediamatters.org/blog/2018/09/0…
This morning's #techhearing is on social media companies' responses to foreign influence operations. Expect it to be a more subdued affair with less partisan theater and more on-topic questions. @MarkWarner & @SenatorBurr tend to keep things on track & nonpartisan.
Just heard @d1gi cited by Parkland, FL's Rep @RepTedDeutch in today's #TechHearings about vast quantities of conspiracy theorist video on YouTube in the context of gun violence disinfo. Also Facebook gets hammered about InfoWars and how many strikes it will take to get banned.
Congressman @RepCicilline's remarks and questions in today's #TechHearing focused on misguided priorities of committee because the narrative of algorithmic bias on social media as censorship is itself disinformation. Evidence contradicts this conservative victim-hood narrative.
Congressman @tedlieu re-articulates the ridiculousness of this episode of #TechHearings because it's stupid to discuss speech regulation on private companies in Congress. Something like: "Only thing worse than an Alex Jones video is the premise behind this hearing."
How to watch Facebook, Twitter, and Google discussing Russian election meddling read.bi/2zaTJuL
Sen. Mark Warner says he's viewed data that Twitter bots represent 12-15% of Twitter accounts
Sen. Mark Warner: "Your companies in many ways know more about Americans than the United States government does"
