Urge Mark Zuckerberg to Endorse Legislation Ending Algorithmic Discrimination
Mark Zuckerberg has spent years telling anyone who would listen — from policymakers on Capitol Hill to readers of The Washington Post — that Facebook wants to be regulated. The company is currently running a massive advertising campaign on cable-news networks, broadcast stations in the D.C. area and various podcasts saying that it supports “updated internet regulations to set clear guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges.”
It’s time for Mark Zuckerberg to back up his words with action.
Sen. Edward Markey and Rep. Doris Matsui just introduced new legislation, the Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act, that would prevent online platforms’ discriminatory use of personal information.
The bill is a strong step in the right direction and would prevent companies like Facebook from using algorithms to discriminate in hiring, housing, lending and other areas of opportunity. It would compel the Federal Trade Commission to develop and update regulations around unfair and deceptive advertising practices by technology platforms. It would also force more transparency and disclosure and includes important whistleblower protections.
Tell Mark Zuckerberg to publicly endorse new legislation that would prevent online platforms’ discriminatory use of personal information.