How is Facebook influencing users and why?

  • showing you certain posts based on what Facebook thinks you like
  • pushes you further toward where you already are
  • changing your mood and influencing your actions
    • affects whether you vote
  • trying to get you to spend time (so you see more ads and they make $)

What data is Facebook using?

  • demographic information
  • messages you like
  • words!

Is Facebook being moral?

  • There’s more benefit than cost
    • you get a positive facebook experience and they get data to get money
  • Shouldn’t be regulating free speech
    • we’re not sure how much they are filtering
    • what’s their obligation to ensure free speech
  • People have a choice
    • not on Facebook so no obligation on their part