Recommendation algorithms operated by social media giants TikTok and X have shown evidence of substantial far-right political bias in Germany ahead of a federal election that takes place Sunday, according to new research carried out by Global Witness.

The non-government organization (NGO) undertook an analysis of social media content displayed to new users via algorithmically sorted “For You” feeds — finding both platforms skewed heavily toward amplifying content that favors the far-right AfD party in algorithmically programmed feeds.

Global Witness’ tests identified the most extreme bias on TikTok, where 78% of the political content that was algorithmically recommended to its test accounts, and came from accounts the test users did not follow, was supportive of the AfD party. (It notes this figure far exceeds the level of support the party is achieving in current polling, where it attracts backing from around 20% of German voters.)

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  • reiterationstation@lemm.ee
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    14 hours ago

    So, and I’m not at all arguing for them here let me be clear, but things like Reddit being dragged in the media for that jailbait subreddit and the Covid stuff causing lawmakers to basically say “hey if you keep allowing disinformation we are going to have to regulate it” is what they mean by leftist bias.

    I was reading yarvins bs the other day and that basically sums up the thinking.