Authors
Mykola Makhortykh, Silke Adam, Maryna Sydorova, Aleksandra Urman
Abstract
The project aims to audit the performance of selected search and recommendation algorithms used by two platforms popular among the Swiss population, Google and YouTube, and detect whether these algorithms are subject to different forms of malperformance (e.g., systematic bias or non-systematic errors) when tackling issues in which a minority questions scientific
knowledge. Specifically, the project focuses on two topics: 1) conspiracy theories related to COVID-19; 2) and Holocaust denial. To achieve this goal, the project will rely on the combination of automated agent / sock puppet auditing and content analysis.
Duration
2021 – 2022
Keywords
algorithm audit, Switzerland, web search, recommendation systems, Holocaust denial, COVID-19 conspiracies
