Keynote Speaker: Rishab Nithyanand

Title: The Quest for Transparency and Accountability in the Online Data Ecosystem

Abstract:

Algorithmic and data-driven systems on social media platforms and within ad-tech wield immense power, shaping societal norms, perceptions of reality, and the flow of revenue online. Yet, their operations remain obscured from public scrutiny, leaving debates around their harms and regulation lacking nuance and depth. In this talk, I will describe my research journey aimed at injecting transparency and accountability into these opaque systems. I will discuss how we mitigated the unintended amplification of harmful behavior by platform governance mechanisms, uncovered hidden data-sharing relationships between online entities, and curtailed the funding of misinformation. Additionally, I will present our ongoing efforts to diagnose the “pathologies” of content recommendation systems used by major platforms. Finally, I will outline actionable strategies for technologists and regulators to mitigate the harms posed by algorithmic systems, ultimately paving the way for a healthier digital society.

Bio: Rishab Nithyanand is an Assistant Professor and Emeriti-Faculty Scholar in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Iowa where he leads the SPARTA lab. He also holds a courtesy appointment in the College of Law and co-directs the Center for Publics, Platforms, and Personalization (CP3). Professor Nithyanand’s research is broadly in the areas of privacy and social computing. His research aims to improve transparency and accountability in the online data ecosystem. 

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