Social media regulation - the good, the bad and the ugly

The way social media has evolved is a cause for concern worldwide. an update

Social media regulation - the good, the bad and the ugly

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• From good to bad: Social media firms were celebrated for their role in the Arab Spring, 2010. But today, they are criticised for adverse outcomes like Brexit referendum, Trump's election, and so on. Regulations are being demanded. FB is so scared it's advertising asking for regulation.
• Nature of regulations: Like the printing press of the 15th century, social media in 20th century transformed society.

1. Printing Press had ended the Church's monopoly on knowledge, and spread the vernacular langauge fast
2. Even the nature of debates went from scholarly, educated and elevated to being full of insults and theatre (such books sold more!)
3. Catholic Church retaliated by - (i) recentralizing power in the Pope, (ii) putting out a list of forbidden books, and (iii) ramping up Inquisition to protect Catholic souls [books banned were from Galileo Galilei, Niccolo Machiavelli, Rene Descartes]

• Modern Church: The latest social media restrictions on those who disagree (or are aggressive) are similar - users are excommunicated, or communications curtailed. But to make someone a martyr turns them into a bigger personality cult. Being "cancelled" launches you on a bigger platform.
• Learn to separate: Governments have to now separate the effets of technology (here to stay) from the effects of particular business models (controlled by regulations). So the problem is not that people post crazy things, it is that social media firms amplify (through algorithms) the most inflammatory of posts. Since platforms are immune from legal action, they don't care.

1. Newspapers never enjoyed that kind of freedom to print anything (and get away with it)
2. The US Communications Decent Act of 1996, Section 230, gives immunity to social media platforms from content on their sites
3. They blame the algos, that they've designed themselves

• What social media platforms do: They connect billions of users, and decide what content is seen by whom. Newspapers do the same, but there's heavy competition. Now FB has 72% of the US market, so little competition and lot of monopoly.
• Bring in the right regulation: Separate the social from the media.

1. Just like some countries separate the electric power grid from electricity production, it is time to separate the editorial function of these firms from their network infrastructure
2. Let there be competition in editorial function, even as network externalities turn make infra a natural monopoly
3. The firm running the network should be kept away from editorial function (otherwise it will subsidise one function with another, killing off competition, like today)

• How to make money: The competitive layer (editorial) will allow advertisers, do data selling, or charge for content, or for premium no-advt look. The virtual grid can charge for access to the infrastructure (a regulated price).
• The right way to do: Make a law, and get this done. That's the right political way to do it. But which politician will do it, as all depend on social media to get elected?
• Summary: The only solution is the one talked above, and rest all are mere temporary cures, all the time strengthening the monopolies.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) What is the proper way to end the monopolies of social media firms, what also end up harming free speech or spreading hate, simultaneously? (2) What were the major effects of the arrival of the Printing Press in the 15th century? List and explain. (3) In what fundamental ways has social media transformed the entire politics of the world? Analyse.

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