Addressing Information Cocoons and Price Discrimination Based on Big Data: How Network Platform Algorithms Can Be Improved for the Better

On November 24, four departments including the Central Cybersecurity and Informatization Committee Office issued a notice on the special action of “Clearing Up and Brightening – Governance of Typical Issues in Network Platform Algorithms,” which mainly involves strictly prohibiting the use of algorithms to implement price discrimination based on big data, thoroughly rectifying information cocoons, and preventing induced addiction. What are the specific tasks and goals of this special action? How to guide algorithms towards positivity and goodness, and promote the better development of network platforms?
What should be regulated in network platform algorithms?
Zhao Jingwu, Deputy Director of the Research Base for International Governance of Cyberspace at Beihang University: Our focus is on preventing certain information push methods, with the core aim of protecting consumers’ and users’ information autonomy. For example, China’s regulations on algorithm recommendation management clearly stipulate that functions must be provided to create user profiles that do not directly match specific individuals, and users must be given the function to promptly turn off the association with their other information. The reason for providing such cut-off channels is to avoid the abuse of a large amount of information.
How to optimize algorithm services for minors and the elderly?
Zhao Jingwu, Deputy Director of the Research Base for International Governance of Cyberspace at Beihang University: China’s regulations on the management of algorithm recommendations for internet information services distinguish between minors and the elderly, as these two groups face different issues when encountering algorithm pushes. Minors have limited discernment and control abilities and are easily influenced by internet addiction, so we need to address the issue of internet addiction. For the elderly, the general problem they encounter is the emergence of numerous new technologies and the inability to use these information technologies. Therefore, legislation aims to solve the issue of adapting to the elderly and prevent the risk of online fraud.
In the context of rapid network iteration, how to achieve “smart governance”?
Zhao Jingwu, Deputy Director of the Research Base for International Governance of Cyberspace at Beihang University: First, we need to acknowledge that there is a disconnect between legal and technological governance, so we need to implement a more flexible governance mechanism. In practice, mechanisms like technological review are used to address various risks encountered in technological innovation. Meanwhile, apart from laws on algorithm governance, related systems in China’s Cybersecurity Law, Personal Information Protection Law, and Data Security Law can also serve as auxiliary governance functions. Besides these two points, in order to effectively promote the healthy development of the platform economy, the law will also reserve some space for the future platform economy to achieve a balance between platform economic development and regulation.
How can platforms achieve “self-discipline” and move towards positivity and goodness?
Zhao Jingwu, Deputy Director of the Research Base for International Governance of Cyberspace at Beihang University: For platforms, they must first meet the basic legal requirements. The law also provides many requirements for governance mechanisms. However, for platforms,立法机关 (legislative bodies) and relevant law enforcement agencies have also reserved space for the development of the internet economy on the basis of regulation. They actually hope that while platforms develop better, they will also protect users’ legitimate rights and interests.