Transparency mechanisms for social media recommender algorithms

The project proposes a fact-finding exercise that would allow external researchers to test concerning claims in social media companies, as a practical mechanism to increase platform transparency.

In the first phase of our project, we reviewed possible methods for studying the effects of recommender systems on user platform behaviour and concluded that the best methods are the ones that companies use themselves and that are only available internally. We proposed a transparency mechanism, in which external researchers are embedded in a social media company and use internal methods to address questions in the public interest, about the possible harmful effects of recommender systems. We focused on the domain of Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content (TVEC). Over the past year, our project has pursued the goal of piloting our proposed fact-finding study in one or more social media companies, which manifested some challenges. This year, we will be working with EU bodies to identify ways to support the operationalization of the Digital Service Act, focusing on audit and transparency requirements.

This fact-finding exercise could help surface relevant information about recommender systems’ harms, without compromising the rights of platform users, or the intellectual property of companies.