Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica confirmed that at least 87 million users were impacted by hidden data collecting. However, the real issue with social media isn’t the harm of the individuals whose information was leaked but the mass manipulation of social and political behavior.
Cambridge Analytica put a vast amount of personal data from Facebook to influence behavior based off every person. This information was being corrupted in the service of con men, thief’s, and political manipulators. Russia’s Research Agency used faked user accounts to post messages, fabricate images, and even organize political rallies.
Major purchases of Facebook’s internet advertising are based off the “pay per click” model, which is flawed due to the amount of fake accounts that have been created to promote certain political campaigns. This created the distribution of false information that serve specific behaviors manipulation achievements. In addition, these accounts can cause commercial harm by boosting products with fake reviews.
In today’s digital age, it’s difficult to see how government regulation will play a role in protecting the publics privacy. I believe that there needs to be a tool to eliminate the fake accounts and manipulative behavior that comes with the distribution of hidden data collecting. Many people will start to view the internet with greater skepticism due to this controversy.
