Compel social media companies operating in the UK to make algorithms transparent

Summary

Introduce legislation requiring social media companies operating in the UK to make their content recommendation, ranking and amplification algorithms transparent to users, regulators and approved independent researchers. Publish explanations of how their algorithms operate and how users can opt out. Social media algorithms can strongly influence what people see online, including news, political content and material affecting mental health or public safety. Users often cannot understand why content is being shown to them or how to control it. Transparency would not need to require publication of trade secrets or source code to the public. Companies could be required to provide meaningful public explanations, user controls, risk assessments and secure access for regulators or researchers.

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Timeline

1. 30 June 2026

   Petition

   Introduce legislation requiring social media companies operating in the UK to make their content recommendation, ranking and amplification algorithms transparent to users, regulators and approved independent researchers. Publish explanations of how their algorithms operate and how users can opt out. Social media algorithms can strongly influence what people see online, including news, political content and material affecting mental health or public safety. Users often cannot understand why content is being shown to them or how to control it. Transparency would not need to require publication of trade secrets or source code to the public. Companies could be required to provide meaningful public explanations, user controls, risk assessments and secure access for regulators or researchers.

   Source: Petition

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