ABSTRACT

Algorithms are an integral part of our everyday lives and shape the selection and presentation of information and communication on the internet. At the same time, media users are faced with a lack of control and transparency when interacting with these systems because algorithms largely remain black boxes to end users. Relying on the notion that algorithms are socio-technical systems that comprise both technical and human components, this paper examines internet users’ awareness of algorithms in different areas of internet use and inquires into users’ perceptions of the impact of algorithms on their autonomy when interacting online. Empirically, we rely on qualitative interviews with 30 German internet users. Findings indicate that users in general are aware of algorithms operating in a wide range of applications and demonstrate a basic understanding of how these systems work. In line with the third-person effect, users perceive algorithms to have a stronger impact on others’ internet use than on their own. Further, users’ awareness of algorithms was found to be closely related to their perceived autonomy. When users feel in control of their interactions online, they are less aware of the impact of algorithms governing their interactions. Based on these results, we discuss the implications for transparency measures in algorithm regulation.

摘要

算法是我们日常生活中不可或缺的一部分，它塑造了互联网上信息和通信的选择和呈现方式。与此同时，媒体用户在与这些系统交互时面临缺乏控制和透明度的问题，因为算法在很大程度上对最终用户来说仍然是黑匣子。基于算法是社会技术系统的概念，该系统包含技术和人类的组成部分，本文考察了互联网用户对不同互联网使用领域的算法的认识，并探究了用户对算法在交互过程中对其自主性影响的看法。在线的。根据经验，我们依赖于对 30 名德国互联网用户的定性访谈。调查结果表明，用户一般都知道在广泛的应用程序中运行的算法，并对这些系统的工作方式有基本的了解。根据第三人称效应，用户认为算法对其他人的互联网使用影响比对他们自己的影响更大。此外，发现用户对算法的认识与他们感知的自主性密切相关。当用户感觉可以控制他们的在线互动时，他们就不太了解管理他们互动的算法的影响。基于这些结果，我们讨论了算法监管中透明度措施的含义。发现用户对算法的认识与他们感知到的自主性密切相关。当用户感觉可以控制他们的在线互动时，他们就不太了解管理他们互动的算法的影响。基于这些结果，我们讨论了算法监管中透明度措施的含义。发现用户对算法的认识与他们感知到的自主性密切相关。当用户感觉可以控制他们的在线互动时，他们就不太了解管理他们互动的算法的影响。基于这些结果，我们讨论了算法监管中透明度措施的含义。