The Facebook whistleblower’s must-have rules to rein in social media
What does Frances Haugen actually want from regulators?
Regulating big tech
Haugenhad previously suggested a range of measures to curb harmful content:
Haugen does not, however, want to break Facebook — sorry, Meta — up.In her view, that wouldn’t solve the problems caused by the company’s algorithms. Instead, it would simply split the challenges across separate entities.
At the European Parliament, Haugen expressed further concerns about some of the more stringent rules.
The EU model
While MEPs used Haugen’s testimony to promote their own proposals, the data scientist didn’t support all of their ideas.
In certain areas, she advised lawmakers to beef up the DSA. Notably, she argued that the rules should cover any content that violates a platform’s terms and conditions, rather than just illegal content.
She also warned that merely forcing platforms to provide their data is not enough. In addition, she said the companies must publically explain how they collect data for uses such asranking content, advertising, and scoring parameters.
She further criticized the DSA’s potential exemption for news media, as it would provide a loophole for disinformation campaigns to exploit.
Haugen also advised lawmakers to impose “language-neutral solutions” on platforms,EuroNews reports. This would ensure that content moderation doesn’t only work on American English.
Cautious optimism
However, not all her suggestions involved tightening the rules. Haugen cautioned against an outright ban on targeted advertising,TechCrunch reports.
She’d prefer to let the users choose whether they receive ad targeting, although she does want a ban on using third-party data sources, such as credit card companies, for ad targetting.
Some MEPs will be disappointed that she rebuffed this proposal, but her comments will be largely welcomed by EU lawmakers. Her compliments of the DSA — measured as they were — have given the bloc’s rules some extra credibility.
The DSA, however, has also attracted criticism — and not only big tech lobbyists.Digital rights activists warnthat the laws will muzzle free speech and disproportionately impact small organizations.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.Thomas is a senior reporter at TNW. He covers European tech, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and government policy.
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