‘Black box’ algorithms must be bust open

The Cyberspace Administration of China has recently taken the lead with several other central departments to rectify the misuse of algorithms by internet enterprises so as to better safeguard people’s legitimate rights and interests.

By collecting user data and information and tracking personal consumption behavior, enterprises can make their content pushing and commodity matching more personalized and targeted, which effectively improves the operating efficiency of the enterprise.

At the same time, thanks to the precise analysis and judgment of personal preferences using artificial intelligence, user consumption behavior is made more convenient, which enhances consumers’ sense of gain. Yet, while algorithm recommendation injects strong momentum into high-quality economic development, some companies deviate from the original intention of “serving people with technology”, and they instead erect technical barriers to build a fence around their “black box” operations.

These “black box” algorithms enable companies to abuse the data they collect from internet users for their own profit. The overall optimization of internet information service algorithm recommendations and the stable and long-term development of the digital economy require the continuous improvement of laws and regulations and strong supervision.

Yet some platform enterprises seem secure in the knowledge that the supervision of the watchdog departments generally lags behind the advancement of the technology, and their belated actions cannot prevent them from engaging in illegal data mining.

As a result, some big platform companies have become fearless in using the pretense of innovation to cover up their misuse of algorithms. Even if their misbehavior is later spotted, the fine they will be demanded to pay will pale into insignificance in comparison with the profits they can make by exploiting algorithms to mine user data.

Enterprises and practitioners in the internet industry should take the initiative to take responsibility for putting their own houses in order. They should put the protection of consumers’ legitimate rights and interests in a more prominent position, and ensure that their application of algorithms is open and transparent.

At the same time, the relevant laws and regulations should be revised as soon as possible with severe punishments in place to deter the abuse of algorithms.