Media Bits and Bytes The Internet Giveth, and Taketh Away Edition

Big Data; FCC; NYC; Facebook's blues; Juan G leaves the NYDN

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Illustration by Aleksandar Savic


How Big Data Harms Poor Communities

By Kaveh Waddell
April 8, 2016
The Atlantic

Decision-makers are increasingly told to “listen to the data,” and make choices informed by the outputs of complex algorithms.
But when the data is about humans—especially those who lack a strong voice—those algorithms can become oppressive rather than liberating. For many poor people in the U.S., the data that’s gathered about them at every turn can obstruct attempts to escape poverty.


FCC Votes to Make Low-Income Americans Eligible for Subsidy for High-Speed Internet Service

By Jim Puzzanghera
March 31, 2016
Los Angeles Times

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 along party lines to expand a 3-decade-old program that subsidizes phone service for people who cannot afford it.
Now consumers will be able to apply the monthly Lifeline subsidy to broadband service or a bundled voice-and-data package from an Internet service provider. The Internet service could be wired or wireless and the FCC anticipates the new option will be available Dec. 1.


The Tremendous Ambitions Behind New York City’s Free WiFi

By Brian Fung
April 8, 2016
Washington Post

At this very moment in New York City, you can walk up to one of 65 futuristic kiosks, punch in an email address on your phone and instantly receive a wireless Internet connection that follows you around town. It's free — and it's fast. Each kiosk, which is really an old payphone that's been converted into an Internet terminal, is connected to gigabit fiber optics. It's like having Verizon FiOS on every street corner, pumping out WiFi.
Early signs suggest the experiment, known as LinkNYC, is gaining traction: New Yorkers and visitors are signing up for the small-scale WiFi feature at a pace of several thousand people a week, according to Intersection, one of the handful of companies behind the project. During one week of especially notable growth, 5,000 people registered for the service.

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Facebook Users Are Sharing Fewer Personal Updates and It's a Big Problem

By  Erin Griffith
April 7, 2016
Fortune

A damning report published by The Information on Thursday revealed that Facebook has been struggling to reverse a 21% decline in “original sharing,” or personal updates, from its 1.6 billion monthly active users.
Personal updates—including the half-based opinions, but also the baby photos, engagement announcements, and vacation photos—are what keep people coming back to Facebook. It’s unlikely that users will get that information anywhere else, and they don’t want to miss important life updates from their friends and family. Without the personal updates, Facebook becomes a glorified, $327 billion content recommendation engine.


Juan González Retires from New York Daily News, Praised for His "Relentless Assault on Injustice"

March 30, 2016
Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! co-host and New York Daily News columnist Juan González is leaving the New York Daily News after 29 years. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted, "Will miss hearing [Juan González]’s loud voice for the workers in the @NYDailyNews. We hope to keep hearing it elsewhere!" Former Village Voice reporter Tom Robbins tweeted, "The Great Juan Gonzalez, the best voice in the Daily News these past 29 years, headed out the door."