China's Declared War On Algorithms, Wants To Make Them More Socialist
China's crackdown on technology companies continues to intensify. In a statement seen by Reuters on Wednesday, China's cyberspace agency wants to bring algorithms in line with socialism.?To this end, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is working on new rules to govern algorithms.
Algorithms are used by technology companies to expand their services and to attract more users on any platform. These are the same algorithms that deliver those eerily time-appropriate advertisements on Instagram.
China's socialist dream
China also wants to make algorithms more socialist. Is imposing socialism on economically capitalist companies ever going to work? Only time will tell.?
So far, China has managed to expand controls it exercises not only in public life but also in people's personal lives.?Kids in China can play online games only for three hours a week during term time. Last time we checked, sweeping regulation of technology did not constitute the basis of socialism. Instead, socialist technology would have humans at the centre -- with focus on both the present and the future, China claims.
Also read:?Xiaomi Phones Allegedly Censoring Anti-China Content, Activating Remote Censorship
This idea may be manipulated to suit China's goals, a country with a recorded history of human rights transgressions. In fact, the country has been accused of using sophisticated recognition technology to profile Uighur Muslims, many of whom are detained in Hitler-style concentration camps, according to several reports.
China now wants to promote homegrown models of algorithm, with focus on "research" of "algorithm innovations". The CAC will set up evaluation teams to ensure that all digital algorithms are "fair and transparent", according to reports.
The crackdown on algorithms
Most apps today use algorithms to tailor the experience to each user, including Chinese giants like Alibaba and TikTok's Chinese version Douyin.
Earlier, Chinese regulators hit out at companies that use algorithms to make users spend more money. CAC added that users should have the option to switch off algorithm services, which would actually be a great precedent for tech companies globally.
Also read:?Internet Freedom Declining Globally: China Is Worst, India Not Far Behind
China's nemesis US too is cracking down on algorithms, but for cosmetically different reasons. The US is currently plagued by misinformation on social media platforms, which was blamed for Capitol riots as well.
While China may be attempting to separate itself from Western capitalist economies like the United States, such sweeping regulations make these modern rivals more alike than different.
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