Social media has become an essential component of our everyday lives in the current digital era. Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok allow us to share moments, keep in touch with loved ones, and keep up with current events. But these platforms are also gathering a ton of user data in the background, which is then fed into highly developed artificial intelligence (AI) systems for a variety of uses. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States recently expressed worry over the lack of control social media users have over their data, especially when AI uses it.
The FTC’s Apprehensions
The FTC is concerned about AI’s increasing impact on how users interact with social media platforms. Artificial intelligence systems propose items, friends, content, and even monitor posts. Although these features can improve user experience, they also bring up important issues related to consent, privacy, and control over personal data.
The FTC claims that social media users frequently have little to no control over how these AI algorithms gather, use, and process their data. Social media companies frequently have lengthy, intricate terms of service agreements and privacy policies that are full of legalese that the ordinary user might not completely grasp. Users might thereby unintentionally agree to the gathering and use of their data in ways that exceed what they would find appropriate.
Lack of Consent and Transparency
Social media companies gather a lot of data about users, including location, browsing history, and even facial recognition from photos and videos. This data is then used to train AI algorithms, which can produce unexpected or even harmful results. One of the main concerns raised by the FTC is the lack of consent regarding the use of user data by AI.
The Dangers of Using Data Driven by AI
The possible hazards and negative effects of using AI-driven data collection are among the FTC’s worries, which go beyond privacy. Here are a few of the main dangers:
Discrimination & Bias: AI systems may unintentionally reinforce prejudices found in the training data. An AI system may provide discriminatory results, for instance, by favoring some groups over others when it comes to content filtering or targeted advertising, if it is trained on biased data.
Influence and Manipulation: AI systems are capable of influencing user behavior. They can be used, for instance, to disseminate false information, amplify content that divides people, or target susceptible people with deceptive advertisements. This may have detrimental effects on social cohesiveness, democracy, and mental health.
What Actions Are Possible?
The FTC’s worries emphasize the necessity of stricter laws and user safeguards in the fields of artificial intelligence and data privacy. The following actions could be implemented in order to resolve these problems:
Tougher Data Privacy Laws: To provide people greater control over their data, governments can pass tougher data privacy legislation. This can involve the need for brief and unambiguous privacy policies, informed consent for data collection, and the ability to view, amend, or remove personal information.
In Summary
Users and legislators should take note of the FTC’s warning regarding the lack of control social media users have over their data in the AI era. Although AI can improve our online experiences, there are serious hazards to privacy, autonomy, and society at large.