Facebook Data Shield: Increasing Awareness and Control over Data used by Newsfeed-Generating Algorithms

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Facebook Data Shield, an interactive installation that enhances user awareness and control over data used by newsfeed algorithms, aiming to foster transparency and user agency.

Contribution

It presents a novel interactive tool for visualizing and controlling data collection, and provides preliminary insights into user preferences and awareness regarding data sharing.

Findings

Users are willing to share certain data categories

The installation increases user awareness of data collection

Users prefer having control over their data

Abstract

Social media platforms newsfeeds are generated by AI algorithms, which select and order posts based on user data. However, users are often unaware of what data is collected and employed for this aim, neither can they control it. To open up discussions on what data users are willing to feed the newsfeed algorithm with, we created the Facebook Data Shield, a human-size interactive installation where users can see and control what type of data is collected. By pressing buttons, data categories and/or data variables can be (de)activated. An outer rim with lights gives feedback to users about the level of personalization of the resulting newsfeed. We performed a preliminary study to get insights into what data users are willing to share, their preferred level of control, and the effect of such an installation on users' awareness. Based on our findings, we discuss implications for design and future work.