Instagram Suggested Posts To Users. It Served Up COVID-19 Falsehoods, Study Finds

[littlemissmartypants]

Instagram Suggested Posts To Users. It Served Up COVID-19 Falsehoods, Study Finds

March 9, 202112:01 AM ET

Instagram recommended false claims about COVID-19, vaccines and the 2020 U.S. election to people who appeared interested in related topics, according to a new report from a group that tracks online misinformation.

"The Instagram algorithm is driving people further and further into their own realities, but also splitting those realities apart so that some people are getting no misinformation whatsoever and some people are being driven more and more misinformation," said Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which conducted the study.

From September to November 2020, Instagram recommended 104 posts containing misinformation, or about one post a week per profile, to 15 profiles set up by the U.K.-based nonprofit.

Much more at the link.

https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975032249/instagram-suggested-posts-to-users-it-served-up-covid-19-falsehoods-study-finds

[marble falls]

1. We've been too tolerant of off the wall RW whackyness. Trying to be fair or openminded ...

... about dishonest and purposely false opinions only hurt us.

[RKP5637]

2. Free speech IMO implies reasonable and responsible free speech. The

"dishonest and purposely false opinions" really need to be stopped, somehow. I know, people yell about free speech and want anything to be said ... but look where some of this has taken this nation with the bullshit and lies served up as free speech.

[marble falls]

3. I believe in free speech, but what RW doesn't get is while all speech is freely made ...

... not all speech is protected.

Haven't run into you for a while, how you been?

[RKP5637]

4. Hi, pretty good. I got exhausted with the Trump years ... taking a break of sorts now.

[marble falls]

5. Hang in, you're one of the good'uns!

[RKP5637]

6. Thanks!!! So are you!