2023-07-19
This is my last week at The Markup. It’s been a true privilege to practice and produce impactful hypothesis-driven journalism with first-class journalists over the past four years.
In year one of publication, Adrianne Jeffries, Sam Morris, Evelyn Larrubia and I measured Google’s self-preferential search results using a method adapted from the life sciences. Our findings were cited in congressional hearing on Big Tech and antitrust.
Aaron Sankin, Sam Morris, Evelyn Larrubia and I found that Google blocked advertisers from finding YouTube videos related to Black Lives Matter and other social justice phrases, while leaving well-known hate terms unfettered. Color of Change called for a racial equity audit of Google citing our work.
Next Adrianne Jeffries, Ben Tanen, Joel Eastwood, Gabe Hongdusit, Micah Gorelick, Evelyn Larrubia, and I spent a year investigating Amazon. We used forensic machine learning to confirm Amazon gave their own products a leg up in search. Congress cited our investigation as evidence of perjury and demanded answers from Amazon.
The past 2 years Aaron Sankin, Evelyn Larrubia, Jeremy Singer-Vine, Sisi Wei, Joel Eastwood, Gabe Hongsdusit and I have been investigating the digital divide in the U.S. We found 4 Telecos offering the same price for drastically different internet speeds. Paired with inequitable buildout, we found disparities in almost every major US city.
I am grateful to my editors, colleagues, mentors, and everyone who voluntarily read our 30-page methodologies. I feel lucky to spend my time reporting on the social impacts of technology. I’ll continue to do so at my new gig, which I’ll share soon.