Facebook accused of Orwellian methods to reduce conservative content

 Epoch Times:

The CEO of social media website Parler responded to a report about a Facebook algorithm that allegedly reduces the reach of alternative news websites and promotes corporate media.

John Matze, in an interview with Fox News, said that a reported “secret internal algorithm thing is kind of Orwellian,” referring to the dystopian novel, “1984,” by George Orwell.

“Parler believes that people should make the determination for themselves what they think is hyperpartisan or they believe in and what they’d like to follow and they can choose on their own on Parler what they’d like to get engaged with,” he said.

The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, alleged that Facebook changed its algorithm after the Nov. 3 election to bolster CNN, NPR, the NY Times, and other legacy news outlets over certain pages like Breitbart News or Occupy Democrats.

Matze explained that he believes “in having a simple chronological algorithm that allows people to filter out and determine what they want to view and I think that’s the best way.”

“I don’t think any of us likes hyperpartisan content,” Matze said. “And so when people can decide on their own what they believe is within the norms of society and what they want to talk about, we should let them choose on their own.”

In response to the NY Times report, Facebook spokesman Joe Osborne told news outlets that “there are many variables at play in every product decision we make, all aimed at creating the best possible experience for people.” He didn’t appear to confirm or deny whether such a reported algorithm is in effect that reduces the reach of certain news outlets.

... 

Facebook has become a less interesting resource for information since it has limited content.  Big Tech in general has been acting more like Big Brother of late.  I suspect we will see a trend of people going back to keeping a menu of conservative blogs so they can keep up with the news that interests them.  I know I am spending more time looking at Breitbart, and Epoch Times these days.  I am also checking on Parlar and MeWe more since Big Tech has tried to limit conservative content.  

One of the other interesting things that is happening is that my blog traffic is ticking up since these changes.

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