Mesuring Media

 Big tech companies like google, Microsoft, and Facebook have created ways for users to interact with their products, and give data. Individuals are given the ability to upload anything they choose. By measuring which pieces of media get more attention in a wide variety of categories, big tech companies can then create more elaborate products, and solutions to profit off of this data. Any and all data that users give is valuable to these companies. From being idle on a certain screen to clicking off, on a video after a certain viewing threshold is met, these key pieces of information are used to tailor a new experience for better or worse. On the positive side, the gathering of mass data information from media and its users, can create new solutions for users to "play" with and have a better experience. One of these examples would Microsoft receiving complaints about users not being able to access a certain feature, or even a feature not being used at all by consumers. With this data Microsoft can then change their design and create a more intuitive experience for users, and overall keep them coming back to use their products. 

Some challenges that users and companies face is knowing whether a certain piece of media is needed or not needed for a platform to serve its purpose. In other words, how will both parties determine what pieces of information is useful? This is one of those challenges that is not as easy to assess as just viewing media and its interactions through popularity. This is where direct feedback may be needed and direct communication with a "customer support team" and their executives to make decisions based on what any next steps will be to finding a new solution. The biggest implication of data collection is the line of what is considered individual privacy. Most of this is common sense, as users don't want to feel spied on, and then shown ad results based on a private conversation they were having with a friend due to their phone recording them! This is still an on going battle with tech companies, governments, and its people. Some committee has to decide where the moral line is drawn from collecting data to improve products, to stealing data and using it against its users through strategic and targeted manipulation.