"The speed with which Pinterest radicalizes your feed with conspiracy-based disinfo is shocking," writes Michael Caulfield. He shows a video in which he enters two search terms ('vaccine' and 'autism') and follows two (benign) links, and ends up with a Pinterest board full of conspiracy theories. I thought I'd try the same thing with less loaded search terms, but I didn't past the opening screen. Based on whatever info it has about me, Pinterest decided it should show me (illustrated) some racism (upper left) and a bevy of weight loss scams. Obviously the use of such a system is harmful, but this doesn't deter venture capitalists, who this year invested $150 million in the site, bringing it to a valuation of $12 billion. I think I'll go back to ignoring it.
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