The online talk titled “Algorithms and the Role of Big Tech Companies in Hate Speech” moderated by Assoc. Dr. Tirşe Erbaysal Filibeli and held on August 16th, 2022 was given by Imran Ahmed, the founder and director of Center for Countering Digital Hate. The online talk was broadcasted live on the foundation website, as well as its Youtube, Facebook and Twitter pages, in both Turkish and English.
Imran Ahmed first talked about the effects of social media algorithms on societies, and the role they play in the information ecosystem. He stated that the algorithms in digital platforms were constructed and managed by a small number of companies based in California, United States. He argued that these companies determined what would succeed in these platforms and what would not through their own ad campaigns.
Following his arguments, he explained the research he did on how hate speech spreads through digital platforms. He talked about his studies on the consequences of incomplete information or misinformation, especially on how they provoke hatred in society. Emphasizing that hatred is not innate and instead is later learned through social means, Ahmed stated that we learn to fear and hate immigrants, homosexual people, Muslims, or Jews in later life.
He talked about how our societies are becoming more angry, outraged, and hateful, and how this is a trend that continues to increase. Related to this phenomenon, he explained how hate speech in social media increases the profits of the companies which construct these algorithms, in addition to keeping the users on the platform. Communities based on identities provide individuals with a sense of belonging, he added, and therefore they are stronger in social media, so contents are concentrated in these groups. He noted that aggressive and discriminatory contents attract more attention from users and get into circulation quickly.
He stated that algorithms can highlight the contents that users react more to, and can set priorities according to its algorithmic rules. Therefore, he explained, companies might not want to take action against hate speech in digital spaces.
Underlining the fact that social media is being used in a detrimental way instead of for the improvement of society, Ahmed asserted that social media should be organized in a way that ensures freedom of speech and cross boundary communication. On the other hand, he stressed, there should be legal regulations to prevent possible harms.
He mentioned the legislative efforts on social media platforms’ policies and on the digital market laws in the United States and in the European Union. He stated that it is the big tech companies who are responsible for the transparency and accountability of algorithms. He also emphasized that governments have a serious responsibility in this matter, as well as the civil society, academics, and regulators.
Last, he expressed that discussions should take place on how technology is used, and which ethical frameworks are used. He also noted that there are differences between various digital platforms in their attitude towards protection of personal data. Ahmed concluded his talk by reasserting that big tech companies’ support is necessary in overcoming hate speech.