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Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 10:12 AM Oct 2021

Facebook Knew Its Algorithm Fed QAnon Content to Users Within a Week

Facebook knew its recommendation algorithm was a problem, so it set up a study to test out just how bad the problem was.

In the study, entitled “Carol’s Journey to QAnon—A Test User Study of Misinfo & Polarization Risks Encountered through Recommendation Systems,” Facebook set up some brand-new accounts.

Each of these accounts followed a small number of high-quality or verified conservative-interest pages, such as Fox News, former President Donald Trump, and former first lady Melania Trump. The study found that “within just one day, Page recommendations had already devolved toward polarizing content.”

Within two days, recommendations began to include conspiracy content. “It took less than 1 week to get a QAnon recommendation,” the report found.

The shocking revelations about how Facebook mishandled the rise of QAnon—as well as other militarized social movements—are revealed in one of eight whistleblower complaints filed by former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week and published by CBS on Monday evening.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx5v4y/facebooks-algorithm-spread-qanon-content-to-new-users

39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Facebook Knew Its Algorithm Fed QAnon Content to Users Within a Week (Original Post) Jilly_in_VA Oct 2021 OP
FB could easily fix these problems Johnny2X2X Oct 2021 #1
Right? It would mean decreases in revenue sboatcar Oct 2021 #3
Only the threat of shutdown will get their attention. lagomorph777 Oct 2021 #5
Should be more than a mere threat. calimary Oct 2021 #18
For Facebook, they are a feature, not a bug. Mosby Oct 2021 #21
FB is evil UpInArms Oct 2021 #2
Does the evil of Facebook outweigh the good? Yes. When democracy falls, who will say I Alexander Of Assyria Oct 2021 #4
If anyone but Zuck owned that company Johonny Oct 2021 #7
Zuckerberg is a genius, he chose the dark side, it is a dirty to destroy his Death Star. Alexander Of Assyria Oct 2021 #11
There's a reason hate merchants like Ben Shapiro are the most viewed cites on Facebook Johonny Oct 2021 #6
QAnon couldn't go viral without Facebook - but it made a shitload of money for Zuckerberg dalton99a Oct 2021 #8
Succinctly and correctly said, sir. Alexander Of Assyria Oct 2021 #14
Apparently Jilly_in_VA Oct 2021 #9
Madame, it is profitable for FB to host all subscribers, and every subscriber unintentionally Alexander Of Assyria Oct 2021 #12
And this is what some do not understand. Butterflylady Oct 2021 #15
But I heard, on FB, that if u just use some blockers and trusted friends and sources...all is well. Alexander Of Assyria Oct 2021 #16
I don't go on there anymore. calimary Oct 2021 #19
+1 AngryOldDem Oct 2021 #25
I always get pushed back into this old line: "is you IS or is you AIN'T?" calimary Oct 2021 #26
You have no right to tell others what to do...that is the core issue. Facebook isn't going anywhere. Demsrule86 Oct 2021 #35
Jilly, you are too smart to have posted this post. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #27
That was unnecessary Jilly_in_VA Oct 2021 #30
If you're in it, you are abetting what they do. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #31
Don't insult other DU members Jilly_in_VA Oct 2021 #32
I'm not insulting DU members. I am saying that Facebook users make money for Facebook. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #36
You insulted me Jilly_in_VA Oct 2021 #37
Kay, hon. Have a nice day. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #39
Well, then tell these people to get off Facebook, maybe they're part of the problem??? LeftInTX Oct 2021 #38
And how much does Facebook know that we still don't know yet luv2fly Oct 2021 #10
Yes, absolutely. America did not know about the Russian Computer Worm that infected Alexander Of Assyria Oct 2021 #13
Never saw/see DownriverDem Oct 2021 #17
And you are still putting money into the vehicle that does this. Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #28
Defended Q Bear Creek Oct 2021 #20
I suggest an edit to this excerpt. BobTheSubgenius Oct 2021 #22
"Polarizing content?" Oh, my goodness! n/t Harker Oct 2021 #23
THIS is what FB defenders need to see and understand. AngryOldDem Oct 2021 #24
Once again, here is a very good review of how they radicalize people, abuse EVERYONE ON FACEBOOK Scrivener7 Oct 2021 #29
KnR Hekate Oct 2021 #33
I am hiding 'facebook' so I don't see these posts. Enough already. we either learn how to use Demsrule86 Oct 2021 #34

calimary

(80,693 posts)
18. Should be more than a mere threat.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 12:49 PM
Oct 2021

How about a total takedown? Temporary at first, so they get a taste of what it feels like?

Sorry. I’m just fucking OUT of fucking PATIENCE!!!

UpInArms

(51,252 posts)
2. FB is evil
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 10:26 AM
Oct 2021

and, yes, I know some say that it is good for them …

It is just not so good for the rest of the world

Johonny

(20,681 posts)
7. If anyone but Zuck owned that company
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:09 AM
Oct 2021

The stock would be over a 1000 $ a share easy. He's been the boat anchor of bad news from the beginning. He set up the company so it's near impossible to oust him, but if he were CEO of any other company, he'd have been fired. He's toxic.

 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
11. Zuckerberg is a genius, he chose the dark side, it is a dirty to destroy his Death Star.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:42 AM
Oct 2021

Or at least retool it for enjoyment for all without the hate algorithm, highly profitable math formula for sure, set on overdrive?

Asking for a Friend.

Johonny

(20,681 posts)
6. There's a reason hate merchants like Ben Shapiro are the most viewed cites on Facebook
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:07 AM
Oct 2021

They just don't give a shit. More than that, they will suspend you for pointing it out.

dalton99a

(81,065 posts)
8. QAnon couldn't go viral without Facebook - but it made a shitload of money for Zuckerberg
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:16 AM
Oct 2021

And he doesn't give a shit


Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
9. Apparently
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:22 AM
Oct 2021

conspiracy theories about the outage made the rounds without Facebook, so it ain't all on the Zuck Truck.

I am not in the "Facebook is evil" camp because I know how to curate my FB account so I don't see the crap that comes around. I block people who send it and I don't depend on it for my news. I honestly wasn't aware that there were people who did, but there are people who are that stupid everywhere, I guess. There's also Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok. I use Reddit, but mostly for the genealogy forum which is incredibly useful, and for the Today I Learned forum, which is fun and interesting bits of trivia. I also use Twitter. TikTok, no. My point is, there are all kinds of ways to get your rumors and there always were.

Funny thing, though. I find I use FB a lot less since I consigned it, Reddit, and other non-news sites to a secondary window. I keep my primary e-mail, news, a couple of women's basketball forums, and DU on the main window.

 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
12. Madame, it is profitable for FB to host all subscribers, and every subscriber unintentionally
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:46 AM
Oct 2021

is unwittingly aiding and abetting the evil that infects all hosted inside.

Butterflylady

(3,523 posts)
15. And this is what some do not understand.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 12:37 PM
Oct 2021

I don't care what you do or don't do. Have or have not, block or don't block, you are still part of the problem.

calimary

(80,693 posts)
19. I don't go on there anymore.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 12:56 PM
Oct 2021

Last edited Tue Oct 5, 2021, 09:05 PM - Edit history (1)

And I still don’t buy books by crooks.

It’s what you patronize. What you support - with your participation, your attention, and your money.

AngryOldDem

(14,061 posts)
25. +1
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 01:18 PM
Oct 2021

But people say they’re using it for benign purposes, so they’re not part of the problem. I’ve surrendered the argument on that front.

calimary

(80,693 posts)
26. I always get pushed back into this old line: "is you IS or is you AIN'T?"
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 09:02 PM
Oct 2021

But whatever. I can only control what my own little part of it is, much though I wish that were different. My Facebook page probably has cobwebs on it by now. I make an exception for our Indivisible page where everybody’s asked to boost posts so I help there. But that’s about it.

Demsrule86

(68,348 posts)
35. You have no right to tell others what to do...that is the core issue. Facebook isn't going anywhere.
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 11:59 AM
Oct 2021

We should use it to counteract the right-wing message and not try to deny others essentially free speech.

Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
30. That was unnecessary
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 09:44 AM
Oct 2021

I was pointing out that there are just as many other ways to get conspiracy theories around without Facebook...Twitter, TikTok, and those awful spawns of the right, Telegram and 4kun. So back off.

Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
32. Don't insult other DU members
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 11:09 AM
Oct 2021

I think that's a basic rule here. You're skating a little close to the edge here, hon. Back off.

Scrivener7

(50,773 posts)
36. I'm not insulting DU members. I am saying that Facebook users make money for Facebook.
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 01:52 PM
Oct 2021

That is a simple fact and it doesn't skate close to any edges, hon.

Jilly_in_VA

(9,852 posts)
37. You insulted me
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 03:06 PM
Oct 2021

with your insinuating "too smart" remark and that was enough. Welcome to Block City, hon. Bye now.

luv2fly

(2,475 posts)
10. And how much does Facebook know that we still don't know yet
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:22 AM
Oct 2021

Scary to think.

I understand the various rationales people bring forth to justify their Facebook use, but I haven't yet found one that there aren't substitutes for so that people don't have to support a platform complicit in so many of societies woes.

 

Alexander Of Assyria

(7,839 posts)
13. Yes, absolutely. America did not know about the Russian Computer Worm that infected
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 11:51 AM
Oct 2021

thousands of computers, corporate, personal and governmental for months, in anonymity.

How hard for a computer genius, like Zuckerber to cloak equally insidious codes equally long periods of time?

Until perhaps finally and unassailably revealed by a good person, one day, many days too late to for democracy and decency and personal privacy compensated for the carnage’s caused?

Scrivener7

(50,773 posts)
28. And you are still putting money into the vehicle that does this.
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 07:19 AM
Oct 2021

And before you say no you aren't, yes you are.

Bear Creek

(883 posts)
20. Defended Q
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 01:00 PM
Oct 2021

Joined a group while off on COVID leave. The group was a Q site and talked about the armed over throw of our country. I reported them. Got a notice that it offended me and they have the right to post what they wanted.

BobTheSubgenius

(11,535 posts)
22. I suggest an edit to this excerpt.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 01:05 PM
Oct 2021

"high-quality or verified conservative-interest pages..." should include the phrase "as well as..."

AngryOldDem

(14,061 posts)
24. THIS is what FB defenders need to see and understand.
Tue Oct 5, 2021, 01:17 PM
Oct 2021

Yeah, it’s great for keeping up with far-flung family, finding long-lost friends, and connecting with like-minded people. But there’s this dark side of it too, which Zuckerberg and his company have been enabling for too damn long. It’s not so much the people using FB, as the algorithms FB uses that is the problem. This is what seems to be conveniently overlooked by a lot of people. I don’t particularly give a shit if people use it, but I do give a shit if its powers-that-be, through negligence or malice, rig it to get people angry and violent, or cater to those groups that do, all for profit.

Likewise its exploitation through Insta of a very vulnerable early teen market.

Cue the “But you’re attacking innocent Facebook users!” crowd in 3…2…1…I’m not. But this shows why some government regulation of entities is still very much needed.

Scrivener7

(50,773 posts)
29. Once again, here is a very good review of how they radicalize people, abuse EVERYONE ON FACEBOOK
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 07:27 AM
Oct 2021

and manipulate elections and policies FOR THE RIGHT.

And remember: Facebook had a dedicated office in trump Tower to help the trump campaign and Cambridge Analytica TAKE all the data of 200,000,000 users without permission, categorize each of those users, and then use PSY OPS on them to get them to vote for TFG.

If you are on it, you are abetting this.






Demsrule86

(68,348 posts)
34. I am hiding 'facebook' so I don't see these posts. Enough already. we either learn how to use
Wed Oct 6, 2021, 11:56 AM
Oct 2021

Facebook to our advantage or the GOP does it better and we pay a price. It is not going anywhere. It is a private company and there is something called free speech which I believe in.

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