European Commission
Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT)
Attention: [Director-General's Name or "The Director-General"]
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium
Subject: Addressing the Psychological Impact of Social Media Algorithms on EU Citizens
Dear sentient lifeforms,
I write to formally express my concerns regarding the practices of X (formerly known as Twitter) and their potential implications for the civic discourse, democratic integrity, and electoral fairness within the European Union. Recent evolutions in X's algorithmic strategies have extended beyond mere content curation into the realm of behavioral modification, which presents both ethical and legal challenges.
The principal concerns are as follows:
Unlicensed Behavioral Modification Therapy: The use of sophisticated algorithms to influence user behavior without proper licensing or oversight represents a form of unlicensed psychological practice. This raises serious ethical issues as it bypasses the need for informed consent and professional accountability, which are cornerstones of legitimate therapeutic practices.
Swaying Public Opinion: By designing algorithms to not only increase user engagement but also to steer public opinion towards certain narratives or political stances, this practice undermines the autonomy of individuals, contravening the spirit of EU laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which emphasize transparency, user rights, and fairness in digital services.
Manipulating Civic Discourse: The manipulation of social media feeds to promote specific viewpoints can distort the natural flow of public conversation, reducing the diversity of ideas and limiting the exposure to alternative perspectives. This manipulation is detrimental to the quality of civic discourse, which relies on a plurality of voices for its vibrancy and health.
Eroding the Foundation of Democracy: Democracy is built on the principle of uninfluenced, informed choice. When public opinion is covertly swayed through these unlicensed practices, the very foundation of democratic engagement is eroded. The electorate's ability to make decisions based on genuine, unmanipulated information is compromised, thereby weakening democratic integrity.
Interference in Elections: There is a pressing concern that these practices might be used to influence electoral outcomes. When behavioral modification techniques are applied to subtly sway voter behavior or opinion without the electorate's awareness, it represents a direct threat to the fairness and integrity of elections, undermining the democratic process where decisions should be made based on informed choice, not manipulation.
Historical Parallel:
This situation echoes the 1957 experiment where subliminal messages were inserted into movie scenes to influence viewer behavior towards purchasing popcorn and Coca-Cola but on a vastly different scale. Instead of a few hundred viewers in a cinema, millions of people worldwide - including Europe - are being subjected to subliminal manipulation of their opinion, their behaviour and ultimately their choice in democratic processes.
Given DG CONNECT's pivotal role in shaping digital policy, I respectfully request your consideration of the following actions:
Investigate Compliance: Conduct an inquiry into whether X's current practices align with GDPR, DSA, and other relevant EU legislations, drawing on the precedent set by regulatory actions against subliminal advertising.
Policy Development: Propose or advocate for new or amended regulations that address the psychological impact of social media algorithms, incorporating lessons from past regulatory responses to subliminal messaging. This could include requirements for transparency, user rights, and ethical guidelines.
Public Awareness: Launch or support initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness about algorithmic influence, similar to the public education following the 1957 experiment, to empower users with digital literacy.
Research Funding: Allocate or encourage funding for research into the psychological effects of these algorithms, focusing on their impact on democracy and mental health.
Stakeholder Dialogue: Organize dialogues with social media companies, psychologists, ethicists, legal experts, and civil society to develop codes of conduct ensuring that algorithms do not replicate the deceptive practices of subliminal advertising.
I look forward to your response and any steps DG CONNECT might take to address these concerns, which resonate with historical regulatory precedents and significantly affect the well-being and democratic participation of millions of EU citizens.
Sincerely,
Farid Zehetbauer