Merkel Urges Transparency For Internet Giants’ Algorithms

Angela Merkel has called on the big internet giants to be more transparent in how their algorithms for prioritising news material work in order to avoid narrowing the breadth of information available to consumers.

“I am of the opinion that algorithms must be made more transparent so that one can inform oneself as an interested citizen about questions like, ‘What influences my behaviour on the internet and that of others?’” Chancellor of Germany Mrs Merkel told a media conference in Munich.

“These algorithms — when they are not transparent — can lead to a distortion of our perception. They narrow our breadth of information.”

She did not refer to any sites by name but criticised social media for creating echo chambers. “The big internet platforms, via their algorithms, have become an eye of a needle which diverse media must pass through,” The Times reported.

“The chancellor certainly does not mean that the companies should reveal their business secrets,” Thomas Jarzombek, the ruling Christian Democratic Union Party spokesman for online policy, told Spiegel Online. “But we need more information from operators like Facebook about how their algorithm really works.”

The NMA has called on the UK government and regulators to ensure that news aggregators and closed distribution platforms operate within a framework that it is fair, non-abusive and respectful of media plurality. 

Image courtesy of Press Association.