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Major Assignment - Argumentative Essay

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28 views3 pages

Major Assignment - Argumentative Essay

Uploaded by

socheattaprok
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Royal University of Phnom Penh

Institute of Foreign Languages


Department of English

WRITING SKILLS 201


Lecturer: Ran Leang Hay
Class: M2.2

Academic Year: 2023-2024

Topic: Should social media companies be allowed to collect data from


their users?
Writer: Prok Socheatta

Major Assignment
Argumentative essay
Should social media companies be allowed to collect data from their users?

It can be scary sometimes that social media seems to show exactly what you want
without you actively searching it. This is because your data is being collected and stored every
time you go online from what you press like to how long you watch a video. Your information is
being analyzed by algorithms that catered the experience to your interest. While this may sound
terrifying, it is necessary for companies to collect data from users as it creates a better experience
for users, to ensure the safety and security of its users, and to provide valuable advertisement
support to business owner.
Data collection allows social media companies to gain insights into their users
‘behavior, preferences and trends. Companies used these data to refine their applications in order
to enhance user’s satisfaction and engagement. These data allow companies to predict and
understand their users’ preference and interest. In return, it provided a more enjoyable experience
for users when they are able to interact with posts, videos, and comments tailored to match their
interests. For instance, if a user frequently engages with posts related to dogs, the algorithms of
the platform will begin to show them similar contents related to dog that they haven’t seen yet.
This ensures that user receive contents that resonate with them, making their presence on the
platform enjoyable. Moreover, these collected date could also be used to suggest groups or
communities where users can connect with like-minded people. Therefore, data collected by
users are studied by the algorithm and used to improve users ‘experience on the platform.
Data collection is needed for companies to ensure the safety and
security of their users. Companies can used collected data to identify and remove contents which
are harmful and inappropriate, such as hate speech, violence graphic, or misinformation. These
contents are then removed from the platform to prevent users from contents that could traumatize
or mislead them. For example, Facebook used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and remove
content that goes against the community standard. This technology learns to determine whether
to take down a post from analyzing thousands of human activities and processing data.
Furthermore, data collection also enables companies to detect suspicious activity, such as
repetitive login attempts, and login on strange devices. Alerts are often sent out to notify the
main device on such unusual activities. Hence, social media companies collect data to enhance
user’s safety and security. Data collection also works to support business
owners on the platform by analyzing user’s data and tailoring the advertisements to match with
its users. Most often when you click or search for a certain subject on the platform, the
algorithms analyze your activities and brings in more content related to your search into your
newsfeed. This is the reason why you often see related posts even after you no longer search for
it. For example, when you search for a shoes shop, the algorithms recognize your intention and
even after you no longer look for it, more shoes shop and shoes related content will continue to
pop up on your feed. Moreover, this also helps the advertisement to reach the targeted audience
effectively and also offers as a convenience for users who are seeking the products. Therefore,
company should collect data since it benefits business owners by spreading advertisement to the
right audience. Some people may argue that this violate
user’s right to privacy; however, what the opposition failed to see is that under the agreement
clause of every social media platform, company asked for user’s consent to their data collection.
Users know that by entering into agreement and signing up on social media platform, they are
consenting to the utilization of their data to improve on the company’s product and services.
Thus, the opposition cannot dispute on privacy matters when users had already consent to
companies’ usage of their data. In conclusion, social
media companies should be allowed to collect data from its users since it is beneficial to both
party in ways that it allows companies to improve users ‘experience, prevent users from
receiving false information, scams, impropriate and offensive words, photos and videos and help
business owner reach the right audience. By understand and embracing the role of data
collection, we can navigate social media engagingly and appreciates the benefits it could offers
to users.

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