Inspecting Algorithmic Flows: Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability for Digital Mass Communication Platforms

Abstract

With billions of users, algorithmic platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok are among the most influential communication technologies in the history of civilization. These platforms offer society a mixed bag of benefits and harms, but much remains ambiguous about their true dynamics, effects, and interworkings. As a step toward improved accountability, this document outlines a dissertation that inspects (i.e. audits) algorithmic platforms as mass communication flows. Broadly, I aim to characterize the temporal dynamics, content quality, and sustainability of four different platforms (Apple News, Google Ads, Twitter, and Facebook).