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Facebook and self-regulation: Efficacious proposals – Or ‘smoke-and-mirrors’?

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  • Hemphill, Thomas A.
  • Banerjee, Syagnik

Abstract

Facebook, Inc. has experienced controversies involving user privacy (the Cambridge Analytica data scandal), political manipulation (the 2016 and 2020 U S. elections), mass surveillance accusations, encouraging addiction and low self-esteem, and content integrity, such as fake news, conspiracy theories, copyright infringement, and hate speech. The nature of these controversies has led to Congressional scrutiny, as well as critics' calling for federal regulation of the company's activities. In 2020, Facebook released two company white papers: Charting a Way Forward: Online Content Regulation and Recommended Principles for Regulation or Legislation to Combat Influence Operations. Subsequently, a review of the key points of both these white papers is undertaken, followed by an analysis of issues confronting Facebook. The paper concludes with a proposed digital media regulatory framework recommending a three-pronged policy approach consisting of public regulation, private regulation, and industry liability reform, as well as implications for future academic research.

Suggested Citation

  • Hemphill, Thomas A. & Banerjee, Syagnik, 2021. "Facebook and self-regulation: Efficacious proposals – Or ‘smoke-and-mirrors’?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:67:y:2021:i:c:s0160791x21002724
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Taufick, Roberto D., 2021. "The underdeterrence, underperformance response to privacy, data protection laws," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Sule, Mary-Jane & Zennaro, Marco & Thomas, Godwin, 2021. "Cybersecurity through the lens of Digital Identity and Data Protection: Issues and Trends," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    3. Stringham, Edward Peter, 2015. "Private Governance: Creating Order in Economic and Social Life," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199365166.
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