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Social media companies are media companies. Congress should start treating them that way

Published

3 months ago

January 29, 2024

Social media companies are media companies. Congress should start treating them that way

This week, the Senate is again summoning the CEOs of the biggest social media companies to Congress — some by force of subpoena. Once again, they’ll be asked to explain why their platforms are so unsafe. Why they allow our kids to be exploited, harassed and even bullied to the point of suicide. Why their algorithms are designed to reward divisive, false and defamatory content. And once again, they’ll give us the same non-answer: We take user safety seriously … but we’re not responsible for the content. We’re just neutral “platforms.”

Wrong. They’re user-content-oriented global media companies that have sucked the blood out of traditional media companies and left democracy reeling and our kids depressed. Facebook’s motto of “move fast and break things” has become the ethos of many in Silicon Valley. Now it’s time to slow down and fix things.

But we know from the last 15 years of social media dodginess that they won’t do it voluntarily. Just like other industries, they’ll have to be forced by laws and regulators to be more responsible. Fortunately, there’s a ballooning bipartisan appetite on Capitol Hill to do just that.

Traditional media companies constantly worry about libel law. Social media companies rarely do. Because of section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, social media companies can’t be held liable for content posted by its “users.” That’s why Fox reached a $787 million defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, but X — where much of the defamation about Dominion was germinated and propagated — hides behind the veil of section 230 innocence.

As a result, some of the standards that I’ve been held to across my career as a journalist, an editor and founder and publisher of media sites simply don’t cross the minds of editors —  um, “curators” — at Facebook or X, formerly Twitter.

That’s not to say they have no boundaries. Right now, social media companies can be sued for certain intellectual property violations for some of the content they produce and for their failure to remove content they’ve agreed to take down. That’s a good start. 

But we shouldn’t stop there. What if, for instance, they were held accountable for content created by those they’ve engaged in profit-sharing deals? What if algorithmic boosting of certain posts beyond their organic reach was seen as an act of publishing for which a social media company could be held liable? Perhaps numerical thresholds could open the potential for libel suits — any post receiving more than, say, 100,000 views (which would exceed the circulation of most daily newspapers in America … all of which must verify their “user generated” letters to the editors and op-eds). 

What if we took a cue from copyright law? Those who believe a copyright has been infringed by a platform can lean on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to get injunctions that force platforms to take down the copyrighted content. A similar process could enable people to trigger injunctions that would force platforms to either take down defamatory content or eventually be held liable for it.

Beyond libel law, what if the social media companies were fined for every unverified user on their sites? We know that bots and anonymous users are the biggest purveyors of hate, death threats and false information — much of it generated by foreign adversaries who want to destabilize our democracy. Instead of tolerating atmospheres of exploitation and cyber bullying that have led to historically high rates of teen depression and suicide, what if social media companies were forced to install new safeguards and parental controls to protect our kids? And what if there was a digital regulatory agency — like the one envisioned by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) — to help enforce these new laws?

The 20th century is referred to as the “American Century” in part because it witnessed an historic expansion of democracy fueled by an information environment based on journalistic standards, the rule of law and a full embrace of the First Amendment.

So far, the 21st century has been one of democratic retreat, largely due to the social media driven information environment. If we want to improve the mental health of our children and the social health of our democracy, we have to change that environment. There is no silver bullet. It’ll require dozens of tweaks.

Of course, the CEOs testifying this week would say treating them more like traditional publishers is impossible. After all, they have millions of users. But they also have vast resources. Meta alone profited $100 billion in its last operating year. If it spent just one-tenth of those profits on content moderation it could hire 100,000 moderators at $100,000 each per year.

Smaller platforms will claim they don’t have the resources. But in any industry, bigger and more established players have more resources to operate within the regulatory environment. America’s newspapers didn’t complain that they couldn’t grow because they’d have to hire more fact checkers and editors. They assumed that editorial integrity was one of the many things they would have to expand as they grew.

Treating social media companies more like media companies won’t rid us of polarization, disinformation and violence. And sadly, it won’t protect every child. But forcing them to put more skin in the game could quickly lead to dramatic improvements in online safety and a reduction in hateful, divisive and dubious content. So, let’s start treating the “platforms” like the grown-up media companies they’ve become, with the rights and responsibilities that entails.

Nick Penniman is CEO of Issue One.

Related Topics:Companies Congress Facebook Media Social Start Treating

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Why Malia Obama Received Major Criticism Over A Secret Facebook Page Dissing Trump

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Why Malia Obama Received Major Criticism Over A Secret Facebook Page Dissing Trump

Given the divisive nature of both the Obama and Trump administrations, it’s unsurprising that reactions to Malia Obama’s alleged secret Facebook account would be emotional. Many online users were quick to jump to former President Donald Trump’s defense, with one user writing: “Dear Malia: Do you really think that anyone cares whether you and/or your family likes your father’s successor? We’re all trying to forget you and your family.”

Others pointed out the double standard held by those who condemn Trump for hateful rhetoric but praise people like Malia who speak out against her father’s successor in what they believe to be hateful rhetoric. Some users seemed bent on criticizing Malia simply because they don’t like her or her father, proving that the eldest Obama daughter couldn’t win for losing regarding the public’s perception of her or her online presence.

The secret Facebook situation is not all that dissimilar to critics who went after Malia for her professional name at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. In this instance, people ironically accused Malia of using her family’s name to get into the competitive festival while also condemning her for opting not to use her surname, going by Malia Ann instead.

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Best Practices for Data Center Decommissioning and IT Asset Disposition

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

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Best Practices for Data Center Decommissioning and IT Asset Disposition

Data center decommissioning is a complicated process that requires careful planning and experienced professionals.

If you’re considering shutting down or moving your data center, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Decommissioning a Data Center is More than Just Taking Down Physical Equipment

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Decommissioning a data center is more than just taking down physical equipment. It involves properly disposing of data center assets, including servers and other IT assets that can contain sensitive information. The process also requires a team with the right skills and experience to ensure that all data has been properly wiped from storage media before they’re disposed of.

Data Centers Can be Decommissioned in Phases, Which Allows For More Flexibility

When you begin your data center decommissioning process, it’s important to understand that it’s not an event. Instead, it’s a process that takes place over time and in phases. This flexibility allows you to adapt as circumstances change and make adjustments based on your unique situation. For example:

You may start by shutting down parts of the facility (or all) while keeping others running until they are no longer needed or cost-effective to keep running.
When you’re ready for full shutdown, there could be some equipment still in use at other locations within the company (such as remote offices). These can be moved back into storage until needed again.

Data Center Decommissioning is Subject to Compliance Guidelines

Data center decommissioning is subject to compliance guidelines. Compliance guidelines may change, but they are always in place to ensure that your organization is following industry standards and best practices.

Local, state and federal regulations: You should check local ordinances regarding the disposal of any hazardous materials that were used in your data center (such as lead-based paint), as well as any other applicable laws related to environmental impact or safety issues. If you’re unsure about how these might affect your plans for a decommissioned facility, consult an attorney who specializes in this area of law before proceeding with any activities related to IT asset disposition or building demolition.
Industry standards: There are many industry associations dedicated specifically toward helping businesses stay compliant with legal requirements when moving forward with projects such as data center decommissioning.
Internal policies & procedures: Make sure everyone on staff understands how important it is not just from a regulatory standpoint but also from an ethical one; nobody wants their name associated with anything inappropriate!

Companies Should Consider Safety and Security During the Decommissioning Process

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that involves several steps. Companies need to consider the risks associated with each step of the process, and they should have a plan in place to mitigate these risks. The first step of data center decommissioning is identifying all assets and determining which ones will be reused or repurposed. At this point, you should also determine how long it will take for each asset to be repurposed or recycled so that you can estimate how much money it will cost for this part of your project (this can be done through an estimate based on previous experience).

The second step involves removing any hazardous materials from electronic equipment before it’s sent off site for recycling; this includes chemicals used in manufacturing processes like lead-free solder paste adhesives used on circuit boards made from tin-based alloys containing up 80% pure tin ingots stamped out into flat sheets called “pucks”. Once these chemicals have been removed from whatever device needs them taken off their surfaces then those devices can safely go through any other necessary processes such as grinding away excess plastic housing material using high pressure water jets until only its bare frame remains intact without any cracks where moisture might collect inside later causing corrosion damage over time due too much moisture exposure.

With Proper Planning and an Effective Team, You’ll Help Protect Your Company’s Future

Data center decommissioning is a complex process that should be handled by a team of experts with extensive experience in the field. With proper planning, you can ensure a smooth transition from your current data center environment to the next one.

The first step toward a successful data center decommissioning project is to create a plan for removing hardware and software assets from the building, as well as documenting how these assets were originally installed in the facility. This will allow you or another team member who may inherit some of these assets later on down the line to easily find out where they need to go when it’s time for them to be moved again (or disposed).

Use Professional Data Center Decommissioning Companies

In order to ensure that you get the most out of your data center decommissioning project, it’s important to use a professional data center decommissioning company. A professional data center decommissioning company has experience with IT asset disposition and can help you avoid mistakes in the process. They also have the tools and expertise needed to efficiently perform all aspects of your project, from pre-planning through finalizing documentation.

Proper Planning Will Help Minimize the Risks of Data Center Decommissioning

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Proper planning is the key to success when it comes to the data center decommissioning process. It’s important that you don’t wait until the last minute and rush through this process, as it can lead to mistakes and wasted time. Proper planning will help minimize any risks associated with shutting down or moving a data center, keeping your company safe from harm and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken before shutdown takes place.

To Sum Up

The key to a successful ITAD program is planning ahead. The best way to avoid unexpected costs and delays is to plan your ITAD project carefully before you start. The best practices described in this article will help you understand what it takes to decommission an entire data center or other large facility, as well as how to dispose of their assets in an environmentally responsible manner.

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Massive Volatility Reported – Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

I am seeing some massive volatility being reported today after seeing a spike in chatter within the SEO community on Friday. I have not seen the third-party Google tracking tools show this much volatility in a long time. I will say the tracking tools are way more heated than the chatter I am seeing, so something might be off here.

Again, I saw some initial chatter from within the SEO forums and on this site starting on Friday. I decided not to cover it on Friday because the chatter was not at the levels that would warrant me posting something. Plus, while some of the tools started to show a lift in volatility, most of the tools did not yet.

To be clear, Google has not confirmed any update is officially going on.

Well, that changed today, and the tools are all superheated today.

Google Tracking Tools:

Let’s start with what the tools are showing:

Advanced Web Rankings:

So most of these tools are incredibly heated, signaling that they are showing massive changes in the search result positions in the past couple of days.

SEO Chatter

Here is some of the chatter from various comments on this site and on WebmasterWorld since Friday:

Speaking of, is anyone seeing some major shuffling going on in the SERPs today? It’s a Friday so of course Google is playing around again.

Something is going on.

Pages are still randomly dropping out of the index for 8-36h at a time. Extremely annoying.

Speaking of, is anyone seeing some major shuffling going on in the SERPs today? It’s a Friday so of course Google is playing around again

In SerpRobot I’m seeing a steady increase in positions in February, for UK desktop and mobile, reaching almost the ranks from the end of Sep 2023. Ahrefs shows a slight increase in overall keywords and ranks.
In the real world, nothing seems to happen.

yep, traffic has nearly come to a stop. But exactly the same situation happened to us last Friday as well.

USA traffic continues to be whacked…starting -70% today.

In my case, US traffic is almost zero (15 % from 80%) and the rest is kind of the same I guess. Traffic has dropped from 4K a day to barely scrapping 1K now. But a lot is just bots since payment-wise, the real traffic seems to be about 400-500. And … that’s how a 90% reduction looks like.