Book contents
- The Cambridge Handbook of the Law of Algorithms
- The Cambridge Handbook of the Law of Algorithms
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Notes on Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Part I Introduction and Setting the Stage for a Law of Algorithms
- Part II Business, Regulations, and Decision-Making with Algorithms
- Part III Intellectual Property and Algorithms
- Part IV Criminal Law, Tort Issues, and Algorithms
- 19 The Use of Algorithms in Criminal Adjudication
- 20 Assessing the Risk of Offending through Algorithms
- 21 Injury by Algorithms
- 22 When Do Algorithmic Tortfeasors that Caused Damage Warrant Unique Legal Treatment?
- 23 Tort Law
- Part V Constitutional Law, Human Rights, and Algorithms
- Part VI Applications and Future Directions of Law and Algorithms
- Index
21 - Injury by Algorithms
from Part IV - Criminal Law, Tort Issues, and Algorithms
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 October 2020
- The Cambridge Handbook of the Law of Algorithms
- The Cambridge Handbook of the Law of Algorithms
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Notes on Contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Part I Introduction and Setting the Stage for a Law of Algorithms
- Part II Business, Regulations, and Decision-Making with Algorithms
- Part III Intellectual Property and Algorithms
- Part IV Criminal Law, Tort Issues, and Algorithms
- 19 The Use of Algorithms in Criminal Adjudication
- 20 Assessing the Risk of Offending through Algorithms
- 21 Injury by Algorithms
- 22 When Do Algorithmic Tortfeasors that Caused Damage Warrant Unique Legal Treatment?
- 23 Tort Law
- Part V Constitutional Law, Human Rights, and Algorithms
- Part VI Applications and Future Directions of Law and Algorithms
- Index
Summary
Online reputational injury can occur in a number of ways; and one way is through the use of algorithms that pervade the Internet. The Internet is comprised of complex technologies that enable the dissemination of information rapidly, providing global reach in a matter of seconds through the click of a button. The Internet provides robust public discourse over a gamut of topics in real-time and allows individuals from different parts of the world to interact with one another while preserving some sense of anonymity (that is, if they so choose). Many online communications stem from one piece of content that is regurgitated and redistributed on multiple platforms. For example, consider the social application Twitter. Twitter allows individuals to transmit bite-sized pieces of data among millions of users. Twitter has surprisingly become an outlet for a recent US President, and the fact that the public has direct access to a sitting President in this manner is undoubtedly incredible. Further, the Internet emboldens individuals to act behind the shield of a screen. There is little cost to spreading information, ideas, and gossip online, with seemingly few ramifications. Despite what may be perceived as a few keystrokes that have an ephemeral impact, content on the Internet has a tendency of permanence.
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- The Cambridge Handbook of the Law of Algorithms , pp. 449 - 470Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2020