Social media firms urged to off their money making algorithms [Video]

Social media firms should be forced to turn off the technology they use that makes them millions in advertising, an advocacy group has said, writes Brian Mahon.

X, formerly known as Twitter, and Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, as well as other social media sites, have come in for criticism in recent weeks over their role in riots that have taken place across the UK.

Also, it was on Instagram that a threat was allegedly made against the life of Taoiseach Simon Harris and his family.

Now, more than 240 local activist organisations have signed a letter calling on the Government to immediately turn the “toxic engagement-based recommender systems off by default”.

Recommender systems or algorithms are built by social media companies to ensure users get more content they like on their feed, such as their Facebook home page or TikTok’s ‘For You’ page.

Many activists argue that this way …