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Please excuse my ignorance here, but how do we know that?

Cambridge Analytica scandal aside, we know from first hand research papers that Facebook has conducted experiments to manipulate users' moods.

We also have whistleblower data that they (allegedly intentionally) intentionally ignored manipulation for the 2016 election. Worth reading Sophie Zhang's narrative:

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/07/29/1030260/facebook...

Sure, none of these is a smoking gun for the explicit claim that the companies themselves are explicitly manipulating users, but they certainly appear to be complicit. Complicit in a conspiracy (in the legal sense) to influence voters.

Thank you!

Is this a good faith request for information?

Absolutely. My ignorance on the issue is not feigned. A lot of news feels like noise so I avoid it almost completely. That means I miss a lot of the big stories. It’s a balance that I’m still ok with.

Someone else did post some material though, and I was able to find some information googling myself as well.

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