It really worries me about if we know the implications of the algorithms that are been used. I don't think that this is what FB intended, but more thought needs to be given to affects of algorithms.
I think the tie between the protests and the algorithm changes are tenuous at best. Who can say if the protests would have happened without Facebook? Paris and France have a long history of protests besides.
“Normal stuff happens due to Facebook” should really be the onion take here.
Suppose there’s a headline “50% of birthday parties are planned on Facebook” - does that mean Facebook is suddenly responsible for all those birthday parties? Or are they normal events that happen to be planned on Facebook these days?
Facebook has changed people's behaviour. The amount of people that wish me well on my birthday has greatly increased due to Facebook making it is easier to do so. On the other hand Facebook has made it easier to spread information. With this increase in power does the platform have an extra responsibility ?
“Normal stuff happens due to Facebook” should really be the onion take here.
Suppose there’s a headline “50% of birthday parties are planned on Facebook” - does that mean Facebook is suddenly responsible for all those birthday parties? Or are they normal events that happen to be planned on Facebook these days?