The Globalist

How Facebook has gotten away with its constant abuses dealing with the greatest raw material of all time, data about human preferences and interactions.

With its deep pockets and shameless leadership, Facebook has perfected the art of wiggling out of tricky situations.

In crises, there is no room for “post-truth.” Denying facts and the truth endangers lives. Peddling misinformation for political purposes proves too reckless, even for populists.

Beyond containing the COVID 19 virus, we must also contain the “infodemic” — the glut of misinformation from various sources. What does that take?

To overturn “fake news” demands so much more than fact-checking. It takes educating society with critical thinking skills.

Is Mark Zuckerberg really in control of Facebook? Or is he a sorcerer’s apprentice that cannot handle the invention?

Can we protect our societies against “psychographic advertising” – manipulative technologies that stifle democracy?

Disinformation needs to be tackled by a troika – individual members of the public, the social media companies and governments.

Direct democracy is now easier than ever. But raw public input without first improving democratic processes is dangerous.

Worried about social media helping to create popular movements, China runs an elaborate system of censorship and manipulation.