Big Tech’s monopoly over online discourse threatens democracy. “Middleware” promises a path forward by adding competitive, customizable layers of recommendation algorithms. But can middleware decentralize social media without falling prey to old monopolistic patterns? In new research, Madhavi Singh argues that without targeted regulatory guardrails—including mandatory API access, structural separation, and stakeholder empowerment—even middleware could […]| ProMarket
Social media platforms have proven to provide users with a space to connect that is non-existent in the physical world. However, users struggle with mental health concerns, disinformation, and more. Social media’s issues have a wide range of implications for these individuals and society as a whole. Middleware—third-party services that give users more control over […]| Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure at UMass Amherst