The hottest Tech Platforms Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

What I learned in year three of Platformer

Platformer • 4461 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
💼 Business Journalism Tech Platforms AI Advertising Industry
  1. Platformer has experienced significant growth in subscribers over the past year, thanks to various factors like talented staff, impactful stories, and the Substack recommendations engine.
  2. The broader tech media ecosystem is facing challenges with layoffs and diminishing vitality, prompting journalists to consider the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to independent journalism.
  3. Platformer's plans for the future include expanding the team with new hires, experimenting with newsletter ads, and potentially supporting independent journalism through investments or grants.

AI-generated slop is already clogging the arteries of the web

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 823 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Tech Platforms Content creation Digital Media Media industry
  1. Many worry about AI-generated content replicating and stealing audiences, but the impact on publishers is still largely hypothetical.
  2. AI is already degrading the user experience of the web, causing harm and making content resources useless.
  3. Platforms like Amazon, Google News, and ad tech are flooded with AI-generated content, harming users and eroding trust in the information served.

BIG OOF: Patreon is enabling an insane stalking campaign

Natalia Mitigates The Apocalypse • 353 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Harassment Tech Platforms Content Moderation Digital ethics
  1. Stalking can happen to anyone, not just famous people, and tech companies like Patreon can inadvertently enable stalkers.
  2. Documenting and calling out instances of stalking and harassment can help raise awareness and hold tech companies accountable for their role.
  3. Coping strategies against online harassment include setting boundaries, exercising, practicing meditation, and using creativity to tell your story.
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Apple's passive aggression

SuperJoost Playlist • 157 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Regulations Gaming Industry App Store Tech Platforms
  1. Apple faces criticism for its response to new EU regulations on app distribution, causing backlash from developers and regulators.
  2. The gaming industry is experiencing layoffs, with a significant number reported within January and concerns for the future.
  3. The US Senate's Judiciary Committee held a combative hearing with tech CEOs, highlighting the need for better dialogue on social media impact and online safety.

Sit right there while we berate you for running your platform within the law

Social Warming by Charles Arthur • 78 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Tech Platforms Senators
  1. American politicians are criticizing big tech platforms for perceived failings within the law.
  2. There is concern over the increasing spread of AI-generated content, including clickbait articles designed to attract traffic.
  3. The focus on changing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is generating debate about platform liability and moderation practices.

The End of the Internet?

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 9 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Internet Tech Platforms Regulation
  1. The internet is deeply ingrained in our daily lives and will likely continue until our lifetimes.
  2. Artificial Intelligence is transforming the internet experience, with concerns about fake content and the impact on various professions.
  3. AI may bring about significant changes in human history, but there are uncertainties regarding its effects on industries and the economic sustainability of AI companies.

Missing: billions of views (+ weekly update)

12challenges • 1 HN point • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Social media Data Privacy Tech Platforms
  1. We do not know the most viewed content on social media, despite billions of collective views on public videos.
  2. A paper found that a large percentage of views on YouTube came from a small percentage of videos, indicating a power law distribution.
  3. Strategically asking platforms to reveal their most viewed public content under specific laws is a way to unlock future data access requests and understand the influence algorithms have on information consumption.

Twitch Bans Gambling [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
💼 Business Finance Regulations Influencer Marketing Risk management Tech Platforms
  1. Twitch banned unlicensed gambling on their platform which was a huge niche worth hundreds of millions, leading to a significant impact on the streaming community.
  2. The ban followed a major scam by a popular Twitch streamer that exposed concerns about minors and addicts being drawn to unregulated gambling sites.
  3. The decision by Twitch highlights the importance of regulations in online gambling, the risks associated with unregulated systems, and the societal impact of excessive gambling content consumption.

Why social media should give users control over their algorithms

The Kahneman Bot • 19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Algorithms E-commerce Social media Tech Platforms
  1. Users trust and use algorithms more when they have control over them, despite the benefits algorithms offer.
  2. In product design, be cautious about taking autonomy away from users as it can hinder their happiness and decision-making.
  3. Data-driven products should consider giving users more control over algorithms to improve trust, engagement, and overall value.