It appears that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has become more powerful than even most of his devotees could have ever imagined. While the platform has been linked to numerous successes, including the Arab Spring, it has also been accused of exacerbating polarising political discourse, breeding disinformation and ultimately endangering democracy. In today’s increasingly volatile digital age, can Zuckerberg fix Facebook before it breaks democracy?
Like it or not, Facebook is the world’s most influential social media platform with an average of 2.6 billion monthly users. This gives the platform an incredible influence over public opinion and behaviour. In a 2018 survey, 77% of Americans reported that they had obtained news or political information from the platform. Recently, however, Facebook has become a hotbed for polarising debates, disinformation and political interference.
In 2017, it was discovered that a Russian-linked agency, the Internet Research Agency, had used Facebook to spread divisive content and fake news on topics such as race and immigration. This prompted a major scandal and the US government launched an investigation into the matter. But in the wake of such major discoveries, only small updates have been made in an effort to reduce the spread of misinformation.
It remains unclear if Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg can significantly improve the situation. On the one hand, Zuckerberg has made a concerted effort to protect users’ privacy and enhance transparency on the platform. Zuckerberg has also allocated millions of dollars for the establishment of teams dedicated to fighting misinformation. On the other hand, the effectiveness of some of these initiatives has been questioned by experts.
The controversial implementation of Facebook’s ‘ algorithmically-driven’ newsfeed, for example, has been cited by some as a mechanism that may exacerbate polarisation. That same year, Facebook was also heavily criticised for taking a lax approach to the removal of hateful content and vitriolic comments. In 2018, the company was accused of spreading false information about political candidates during the US midterms.
In April of 2019, Zuckerberg proposed a new ‘Create and Connect’ initiative to address the issue of disinformation. It would involve the establishment of a new task force, with the aim of enhancing political discourse on the platform and protecting users from misinformation. But the proposal was met with scepticism, with many pointing out that Zuckerberg failed to address some of the core problems of the platform. Some critics also argued that the initiative was merely a way for the company to shift the blame away from itself.
Challenges Ahead
In many ways, Zuckerberg is fighting an uphill battle. Social media, by its very nature, encourages users to view the world through a zero-sum lens. We increasingly seek out content that is easy to interpret and simple to digest, which can lead to the escalation of polarising debates and intolerance. This is further compounded by the ‘echo chamber’ effect, where users are only exposed to information that is in line with their own beliefs.
This effect is compounded by the fact that, while Facebook is committed to tackling the issue of disinformation, it may not possess the necessary skills or resources to do so. Facebook’s content-moderation efforts, for example, are largely powered by machines, which have difficulty distinguishing between misinformation and fact-based news and inaccurately flag content.
Moreover, Facebook’s sheer size and complexity means that the company faces more challenges than ever before. With millions of users, billions of posts and a global reach, how does one regulate content and detect fake posts? What’s more, it is clear that the platform’s efforts to address these issues will be met with resistance, as users are likely to push back against increased censorship and oversight.
Data-Driven Solutions
Given the magnitude of the task at hand, Zuckerberg has proposed the use of data-driven solutions to tackle the issue. This would mean using modern tools, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to detect and remove misleading content. It would also involve the establishment of a dedicated team of data scientists to assess and monitor the spread of misinformation.
The use of such tools has seen success in other industries, such as finance, and has become an increasingly popular way to manage data. But there remains a danger of over-reliance on these tools and a risk of bias in their implementation. Without proper oversight, these tools can be misused, leading to the curtailment of free speech, or worse.
At the same time, it should be noted that Facebook is still a business, and much of its success is derived from data-driven, monetisable initiatives. It is unclear if the company will be willing to allocate resources to tackle this issue, despite the potential long-term costs of inaction. After all, it may be easier to side-step the issue than to make the necessary investments.
A New Social Contract?
Despite these risks, Zuckerberg and Facebook have taken some commendable steps in their efforts to establish a social contract with users of the platform. This was seen in Zuckerberg’s recent announcement of a ‘Digital Magna Carta’, which would guarantee users the right to use the platform in a responsible manner. It remains to be seen, however, how this will be enforced and what impact it will have on the company’s bottom line.
Furthermore, Zuckerberg has taken steps to improve the transparency and responsibility of the platform. This includes introducing new tools that allow users to flag suspicious content, as well as measures to clamp down on artificial amplification, where false posts are boosted by algorithms.
In any case, it is clear that the dangers posed by Facebook are far from over. And while Zuckerberg has made a concerted effort to address the issue, it remains to be seen if he can succeed in his mission to save democracy before it is too late.
Economic Considerations
However, it is important to note that it is not just the ethical considerations that carry weight in the conversation about Facebook’s impact on democracy. As one of the most valuable companies in the world with a market capitalisation of over $550 billion, Facebook has accumulated economic power that is arguably greater than that of any other private organisation in the world. Thus, its decisions have the potential to shape the market, sway public opinion and influence elections.
This has been demonstrated in the past, most notably with the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where data from millions of Facebook users was used to steer the US presidential election. It is clear that Facebook has the power to shape the political landscape and the economy, and this power cannot be ignored.
In a similar vein, it appears that Facebook’s decisions carry far-reaching implications for its users. With the company’s ability to censor content and regulate what appears in its users’ news feeds, there is a danger of stifling free speech, which is a cornerstone of any democracy. This has been seen in China, where the government has been able to use Facebook to clamp down on dissenters.
In addition, it has been noted that Facebook has been increasingly used as a tool of influence by certain governments and political actors. Thus, companies such as Cambridge Analytica and other data-collection agencies have been able to leverage Facebook’s vast user base to obtain valuable data and strategically target political campaigns.
Free Expression at Risk
Moreover, the effects of Facebook’s decisions have been felt beyond the realm of politics. It has been argued that Facebook’s policies have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and pluralism, with users increasingly censoring their own postings and adopting self-censorship practices. This is particularly worrying as it runs counter to the principles of an open and thriving democracy.
In addition, Facebook’s influence over its users has led to accusations that the platform is monopolising certain industries. For example, it has been alleged that Facebook has created an environment of ‘information monopoly’, with the company’s algorithms favouring its own content over that of its competitors.
Finally, it is important to note that much of the data collected by Facebook is used to generate targeted advertisements, which aim to maximise the company’s profits. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it has been argued that the profiting from personal information is a violation of ethical norms. Thus, some have argued that Facebook should be held accountable for its actions.
Toward a Brighter Future?
The question of whether Mark Zuckerberg can fix Facebook before it breaks democracy is a complex one. There is no doubt that the company, under the guidance of Zuckerberg, has taken some excellent steps to address this issue. The challenge, however, is ensuring that these measures are effective and that the company is accountable for its actions.
It is clear that data-driven solutions, while promising, may not be the answer. The dangers posed by the over-reliance on technology remain, and there are no guarantees that the company’s initiatives will be successful. Facebook’s economic power cannot be ignored, and its decisions have far-reaching implications for its users. In the end, only time will tell if Zuckerberg will be able to save democracy.
Facebook’s Role as a ‘Digital Superpower’
Thus, it is increasingly clear that Facebook has become a ‘digital superpower’. Its power to influence public opinion and shape the world is uncontested. This has been seen in its role as an amplifier for polarising political discourse, its ability to influence elections and its ability to influence the narrative around certain topics.
At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that Facebook has made significant improvements in its policies and tools to protect its users from potential harm. In recent years, the company has introduced measures to strengthen user privacy and to detect and remove suspicious content. It is also working to build a fairer and more responsible platform for its users.
Nevertheless, it is clear that there is still much work to be done. Facebook’s efforts will be met with resistance, and it remains to be seen if the company can navigate the choppy waters ahead. Ultimately, it is up to Zuckerberg and his team to ensure that Facebook can protect democracy before it is too late.
