Issues

Shining a Light on Dark Patterns

Some user interfaces include “dark patterns” that exploit cognitive bias to manipulate users. Two experiments show that subtle dark patterns are more dangerous, because consumers are less likely to reject them.

Digital Addiction

A study of smartphone use shows that consumers’ excessive use of smartphones and social media may result from digital addiction. Self-control tools reduce usage and improve well-being.

Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) relies on natural resources, low-cost labor, and data. The production of AI technology harms the environment. AI systems rely on low-wage workers.

Making Up Political People: How Social Media Create the Ideals, Definitions, and Probabilities of Political Speech

Facebook’s fact checking service assumes that the public is rational and seeks the truth, but people are more influenced by emotion. Some are concerned that false news is not banned, but merely ranked lower.

European Digital Sovereignty”: Successfully Navigating Between the “Brussels Effect” and Europe’s Quest for Strategic Autonomy

“European digital sovereignty” encompasses regulatory and strategic concerns. The European Union (EU) is the most powerful global actor in digital regulation, though its power is not unlimited.

The Internet as a Speech Conversion Machine and Other Myths Confounding Section 230 Reform Efforts

Policymakers are now revisiting the responsibility of online platforms for harmful content. Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), online platforms are immune from liability for content posted by users.

California Defends Its Net Neutrality Law

Net neutrality law limits Internet Service Providers’ (ISPs) control of Internet uses and users. Federal net neutrality rules were repealed, but states should be able to enact their own net neutrality rules.

“It’s a scavenger hunt”: Usability of Websites’ Opt-Out and Data Deletion Choices

Privacy laws require websites to offer consumers options such as the choice to opt out of advertising or to delete account data. On many sites, these options are poorly labelled and hard to find.

Informing the Design of a Personalized Privacy Assistant for the Internet of Things

Personalized Privacy Assistant (PPAs) will help users manage Internet of Things (IoT) device data collection. The best PPAs will learn from users and offer suggestions from unbiased sources.

Digital Platforms and Antitrust

Digital platforms create value for users and make markets more efficient. But some platforms gain excessive market power. Antitrust agencies and regulators must adopt new methods to preserve the benefits of platforms but reduce harm.