The Algorithmic Public Opinion: a Policy Overview

The algocount project seeks to contribute to concerns on the political and policy implications of the rise of algorithms. The diffusion of an “algorithmic public opinion” specifically regards the concern that algorithmic systems disrupt previous patterns of individual and public opinion formation. Few analyses explored this phenomenon throughout a multidisciplinary comprehensive policy lens. The algocount project seeks to address this gap by discussing innovative policy approaches and proposals to the challenges of the current algorithmic public opinion. Firstly, I introduce the main algorithms, concerns and actors involved in the algorithmic public opinion. Then, I discuss the main policy approaches to the systemic challenges of the most relevant algorithmic systems: recommender systems, disinformation, political microtargeting, content moderation and social bots. The goal of this report is to provide a critical, comprehensive and longterm oriented policy overview of the algorithmic public opinion.