Beyond data collection: politics of APIs on social media platforms

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1982-8160.v15i1p103-122

Keywords:

Social media plataform, Digital methods, Datafication, Algorithms, APIs

Abstract

This article discusses the conceptual and methodological issues faced during empirical research based on data collected via Application Programming Interfaces(APIs) of online platforms. Based on Platform Studies, digital methods, and other approaches anchored in Science and Technology Studies (STS), this article examines the entanglements between the politics of APIs and dimensions, such as affordances, governance, datafication, and algorithmic mediations in social media platforms (e.g., Twitter and Facebook). Material, political, normative, and economic aspects are discussed by examples ranging from the first APIs implemented in the 2000s to recent challenges, especially those following the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

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Author Biography

  • Carlos D'Andréa, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação

    Professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Comunicação (PPGCOM) da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Coordenador do grupo de pesquisa R-EST – estudos redes sociotécnicas. Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000- 0001-7328-6714. 

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Published

2021-06-08

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Dossier

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How to Cite

D'Andréa, C. (2021). Beyond data collection: politics of APIs on social media platforms. MATRIZes, 15(1), 103-122. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1982-8160.v15i1p103-122

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