Social Media Under the Spotlight: Privacy, Misinformation, and the Rise of Decentralization

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Social media platforms continue to face intense scrutiny for their roles in spreading misinformation and handling user data.

Meta (formerly Facebook), X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok are under pressure from regulators worldwide, particularly in the wake of the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which demands greater transparency and accountability.

These platforms are being forced to rethink their algorithms, especially those that prioritize engagement over accuracy, which has fueled the spread of false information.

At the same time, user discontent is giving rise to decentralized social media alternatives like Mastodon and Bluesky, where users have more control over their data and content.

These decentralized networks offer a different model for social interaction, one that prioritizes user autonomy and reduces reliance on a few powerful tech giants. The shift toward decentralization could signal the beginning of a major change in the way social media operates.