Disinformation and Data Lockdown on Social Platforms

by Shawn Walker (editor), Dan Mercea (editor), Marco Bastos (editor)

This book addresses the question of how researchers can conduct independent, ethical research on mal-, mis- and disinformation in a rapidly changing and hostile data environment.

The escalating issue of data access is thrown into sharp relief by the large-scale use of bots, trolls, fake news, and strategies of false amplification, the effects of which are difficult to quantify due to a corporate environment favouring platform lockdowns and the restriction of access to Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). As social media platforms increase obstacles to independent scholarship by dramatically curbing access to APIs, researchers are faced with the stark choice of either limiting their use of trace data or developing new methods of data collection. Without a breakthrough, social media research may go the way of search engine research, in which only a small group of researchers who have direct relationships with search companies such as Google and Microsoft can access data and conduct research.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal, Information, Communication & Society.

140 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2024

About the author

Shawn Walker is a down to earth, candid kind of guy who loves art in its many formats. He takes deep pleasure in listening to and writing music. He particularly enjoys punk rock. In addition to music, Shawn writes poetry and novels. Shawn has been writing since he was a young teenager and began writing his first published novel, No one is Invincible when he was 20 years old. Shawn hopes this novel provides a sense of empathy and compassion not only for people who have personally battled cancer, but also for family, friends, and loved who emotionally battled alongside them. He hopes to let these loved ones know, their role is an endeavor too. He also hopes to open people’s minds to things in this world that he feels are morally corrupt. Shawn currently resides in Springdale, Arkansas with his high school sweetheart of six years.

Reviews

[Sascha Funk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm. Interesting topics, however some of the published articles in this compilation feel a bit redundant and overly negative. It's a good dive into what's happening or what has happened post Cambridge Analytica but tbh when the third article started to talk about Cambridge Analytica it felt like reading my students' essays - everybody using the same buzzwords to get an extra mark.

Nevertheless some interesting parts in there of course and a good quick read!