Recommendation algorithms operated by social media giants TikTok and X have shown evidence of substantial far-right political bias in Germany ahead of a

Recommendation algorithms operated by social media giants TikTok and X have shown evidence of substantial far-right political bias in Germany ahead of a federal election that takes place Sunday, according to new research carried out by Global Witness.

The non-government organization (NGO) undertook an analysis of social media content displayed to new users via algorithmically sorted “For You” feeds — finding both platforms skewed heavily toward amplifying content that favors the far-right AfD party in algorithmically programmed feeds.

Global Witness’ tests identified the most extreme bias on TikTok, where 78% of the political content that was algorithmically recommended to its test accounts, and came from accounts the test users did not follow, was supportive of the AfD party. (It notes this figure far exceeds the level of support the party is achieving in current polling, where it attracts backing from around 20% of German voters.)

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  • commander@lemmings.worldEnglish
    12·
    2 days ago

    you’re actually outside the sphere of influence of misinformation and those that control the algorithm.

    You think people you talk to outside of the internet aren’t influenced by social media?

    • redwattlebird@lemmings.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      Before the rise of corporate social media, yes. It was easy to speak with people who had different opinions on things because of their life experience.

      Now, absolutely not because everyone is in some way connected to a stream of misinformation that is social media, which dictates the news cycle and determines what the talking points are for the day. But if society weaned itself off this social media drug, there is a better chance for improvement. At the very least, rage bait would be a lot less effective.

      Getting back to what the discussion is though: you don’t want censorship of certain ideologies because you believe that’s a form of control that society doesn’t need. You want a ‘free’ flow of information to allow the user to decide for themselves.

      But that information isn’t free flow. It’s controlled by corporate interests. And removing fascist content and ideology on Tiktok and X from the general uninformed public? Hell yeah. If they want to look it up, they can read it in a history book and see what has actually happened under fascist regimes, then decide for themselves if they want that.