1. Democracy and Information
Slide Deck 4:
Democracy and Information

2. Online Platforms
The big information companies that operate online are called platforms
These include search engines, like Google and Yahoo, and social media sites such as Facebook and Snapchat.
Most information comes to us through online platforms
Because they filter most of the information we see, platforms have come to have a lot of power

3. Algorithms
When you search Google or look on social media, the platform has to determine what results to show you — often from millions of possible options
Platforms do this through computer programs called algorithms
Algorithms decide what results to display by predicting the content you’re most likely to be interested in, based on what is known about you

4. Algorithms This is also called ‘personalization’
Personalization is most noticeable on recommendation engines
An example of this is how Netflix suggests movies and TV shows based on what a user has watched or rated

5. Data
Social media and search algorithms learn about users through the data they leave behind
Examples of the data stored by search engines include search terms and location data
Data stored by social media can include ‘likes,’ page views, and interactions
This data reveals a lot about users — more than they might realize

6. Filter Bubbles
Algorithms can be helpful, but when it comes to news and information, personalization can be controversial
When users are shown information consistent with what they already like or agree with, it can create filter bubbles
Filter bubbles can prevent new or challenging information from reaching people

7. Filter Bubbles
• When people are in filter bubbles, it can make it more difficult to connect to others who like different things, or have different political views
• It can also make people more likely to believe and share false news that agrees with their beliefs

8. Filter Bubbles & Democracy
Democracy requires citizens to have a shared set of knowledge in order to make informed decisions
When we are in our filter bubbles, it can become hard for us to make decisions in the best interests of society as a whole