John,
The recent testimony of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen has shed light on how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube use algorithms to decide what we see and what we don’t see, all in an effort to keep you scrolling for as long as possible to maximize their profits.1
And it’s your data that fuels these algorithms. They use our own personal data to manipulate us, hurting our kids, undermining democracy in the U.S. and globally, and exacerbating discrimination.
Congress can do something to stop this: they can finally pass strong data privacy policies that will make it illegal for companies like Facebook and YouTube to collect the massive amount of data they need to power their harmful and addictive algorithms.
Tell your legislators: stop Facebook’s algorithm by passing strong data privacy legislation!
TAKE ACTION
The good news is that Congress has already been working on data privacy legislation, and the FTC has also been moving forward some rules to govern what information companies are able to collect and how they can use it.
But Haugen’s recent testimony, in addition to years of examples of how Facebook’s algorithm is harmful, makes it clear that we need our lawmakers to get to work and finally pass these policies now.
The Internet and social media have the power to do so much good—to power movements and connect people across distances, to educate and entertain. We can’t let companies like Facebook take away this potential. Take a moment to contact lawmakers and tell them to pass strong data privacy laws immediately!
Together,
Caitlin at Fight for the Future
Footnotes:
1. Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-says-she-wants-to-fix-the-company-not-harm-it-11633304122?mod=djemalertNEWS
Fight for the Future works to protect your rights in the digital age.
