Talk:Netflix Algorithm
Peer Review by Annie Cooper
Length: According to my google docs, this article is 1031 words long which is sufficient for the draft. To expand, I would recommend explaining what it means to be “the most successful engine” as well as expand and write out the bullet points. I would try to clarify and explain more how Netflix’s algorithms work. It is confusing to follow. You start by following a new user, you can continue to explain how the algorithm works from there to make it flow better. You may also want to add how Netflix collects this data, how the search page works specifically, and maybe the specific row of content suggested for you or suggested based on other things you have watched. I would expand on personal data gathering, what it is, what data is used, and How Netflix uses it. I would also explain what the ethical implications are that Netflix sells data to a third party. I think you should also explain what a data sharing score and a data security score is.
Structure: There is an opening paragraph that summarizes Netfilx and their algorithm but it does not talk about the ethical issues. I do not think you need to talk about the new users choosing titles in the introduction, but rather what Netflix’s algorithm is used for and why it may pose ethical issues. There is a body of the article with multiple sections. I think you can maybe combine the first two sections to be something like “The History of Netflix’s algorithm” where you can explain how it started and how successful it has been. I think it is important to really break down what data Neflix’s algorithm uses and what it uses it for in the how algorithms work section. I do not believe you need the FTC lessons; it does not relate to the topic. Make sure you go into more detail on personal data gathering because I know there is a lot there and that is probably one of the major ethical issues. You need to explain more about how race is involved with Netflix and why it is an ethical issue. Some of your claims are backed by reliable sources; but you do not seem to have many academic sources. Also, many of your claims have no sources at all where there should be.
Clarity: I somewhat understand that the issue is a breach of personal privacy. However, the connection to race is not clear. Even the part about privacy should be explained in much more depth - I had to assume why this is an ethical issue. Make sure you explain why each of the ethical issues are in fact ethical issues and why it matters. It would also be helpful to name the main ethical issues in the introduction paragraph.
Objectivity: The author remains mostly objective and does not argue anything, which is good. The only opinion would be where you describe Netflix as “over-the-top” - that should be eliminated. While you do not argue anything in particular, you also have many statements that are not backed up by my references as of right now.
