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An NYU researcher who was shut out of Facebook has taken her fight for transparency to the US Congress.
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In August, the firm turned the threats into action.
Facebook shut down the accounts, apps, pages, and platform access associated with EdelsonsNYU Ad Observatory.
Facebook ads
Facebook said that it banned the researchers due to concerns about their web app extension.
The tool,called Ad Observer, allows users to voluntarily and anonymously share information about adverts they see.
The information also showed there are several ad categories that the social connection has deliberately excluded from this archive.
Ad Observer helped researchers understand how advertisers spread disinformation and target specific demographic groups.
Facebook, however, was not a fan.
And as Facebook itself makes clear, all Facebook ads are public information, said Edelson.
The suspension of her teams accounts has severely hampered their work.
Edelson called on Congress to protect future investigations.
Legal actions
Edelson urged lawmakers to adopt three specific policies to mandate greater transparency on social media.
Edelson also hopes that scrutiny from Congress will encourage Facebook to restore her account.
She notes that Facebook repeatedlyrejects proposed remediesto problems.
Restricting access to independent researchers will heighten the risks of these issues causing real-world harm.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
