The Challenges of Researching Algorithms

In the debate on algorithmic accountability, and platform responsibility more specifically, the contribution of the social researcher is immense. In this set of posts, researchers reflect upon broad themes of control and agency — not only that which is faced by the data subject, but also by the researcher who relies on proprietary platforms to understand how these systems operate and interact with users. This research bears relevance to policy debates, because it provides evidence of ways in which automated systems shape consumer and citizens and look beyond conventional recommendations of transparency or openness.