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Navigating the evolving social media landscape and what’s to come: From platform design to litigation that protects users online

Commentary /

Navigating the evolving social media landscape and what’s to come: From platform design to litigation that protects users online

This month, the Knight-Georgetown Institute convened two events during Georgetown University’s fourth annual Tech & Society Week. KGI brought together leading experts, academics, and other key stakeholders across the digital technology landscape to explore some of the most pressing topics around social media platform design as well as consumer protection litigation aimed at keeping users safe online.

How to Fight against Market Power in Online Search: UK Edition

Commentary /

How to Fight against Market Power in Online Search: UK Edition

Google’s dominance in search has made it the subject of antitrust investigations and competition regulation around the world. The latest of these was the announcement in January 2025 that the United Kingdom was launching an investigation under its new digital markets competition regime. In public comments recently filed with UK competition authority, KGI has underscored the importance of being familiar with previous enforcement efforts around the world and prioritizing certain key aspects of competition.

Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First

Report /

Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First

As state, federal, and global policymakers grapple with how to address concerns about the link between online algorithms and a variety of harms, KGI’s latest report authored by a distinguished group of researchers, technologists, and policy leaders is a roadmap for design and governance solutions that put users first. Product designers and policymakers can promote better algorithms through detailed design transparency, user choices and defaults, and assessments of long-term impact.

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Recent News

Fixing the Feeds: A Policy Road Map to Mitigate Algorithmic Harms

Media Coverage /

Fixing the Feeds: A Policy Road Map to Mitigate Algorithmic Harms

As lawsuits mount and legislation aimed at mitigating social media harms proliferates, the battle over how algorithmic recommender systems should be designed is heating up. A new report “Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First” proposes guidelines to help mitigate algorithmic harms, which, if adopted, could meaningfully improve the online experiences of youth and adult users alike.

Lawfare

Concentration in Social Media Undermines Product Design Quality and User Experience

Media Coverage /

Concentration in Social Media Undermines Product Design Quality and User Experience

Lack of competition in social media has allowed dominant platforms to design algorithms to maximize for user engagement without concern for user experience, which may produce feelings of negativity and partisanship among users. There exist alternative algorithmic designs that optimize for both engagement and user experience, and regulation may be necessary to promote these different approaches.

ProMarket

Leading Experts Release Comprehensive Guidance for Improving Algorithmic Feeds

Announcement /

Leading Experts Release Comprehensive Guidance for Improving Algorithmic Feeds

KGI released a major new report providing detailed guidance for policymakers and technology companies on improving the design of the algorithmic recommendation systems that shape billions of users’ online experiences. The report, Better Feeds: Algorithms That Put People First, was authored by a distinguished group of researchers, technologists, and policy leaders.

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