This morning, TDA spoke to the Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri about how the platform’s algorithm works.
It comes as social media companies are facing mounting legal and regulatory pressure over the design of their platforms.
Last month, Meta, which owns Instagram, agreed to pay $US17.1 billion ($AU23.8 billion) to settle a social media addiction lawsuit in the U.S.
As part of that settlement, Meta wasn’t required to admit fault.
“Is there anything currently planned for the algorithm to try to stop any potential addictive effects?” - TDA journalist Elliot Lawry.
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“I don’t believe Instagram is addictive. I know that is controversial to say. I think we conflate the way we colloquially use the word ‘addicted’ – like, ‘I’m addicted to this show, and I’m binge-watching it’ – and clinical addiction... None of the science I have seen suggests that social media, or any media, is actually clinically addictive... To answer your question more specifically: no, there’s not a specific thing we’re doing... We are trying to do the opposite. We are trying to show you things you would say are worth your time.” - Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri.
TDA was one of several Australian outlets on the press briefing call with Mosseri, where he explained how Instagram’s “ranking” algorithm works.
It’s part of a broader push by Meta to promote transparency around their systems, including a feature called “Your Algorithm”, which shows you the topics Instagram thinks you’re interested in and lets you correct it.
Note: We were not allowed to ask about the proposed digital “duty of care” reforms announced by the Government this week.
Meta will review the draft laws before it provides a full response.
