Cathy O'Neil

Former Bloomberg Opinion Columnist

Cathy O’Neil is a former Bloomberg Opinion columnist.

Latest

Covid ‘Viral Load’ Is a Meaningless Distraction

Bloomberg Opinion

Covid ‘Viral Load’ Is a Meaningless Distraction

If you’re not a laboratory mouse, a bigger dose of virus won’t necessarily make you sicker.

July 19, 2022

July 19, 2022

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Covid ‘Viral Load’ Is a Meaningless Distraction

If you’re not a laboratory mouse, a bigger dose of virus won’t necessarily make you sicker.

Covid ‘Viral Load’ Is a Meaningless Distraction

May 19, 2022

May 19, 2022

OpinionCathy O'Neil

There's Good Reason for Tech Workers to Embrace the Office

America’s national security might depend on it.

There's Good Reason for Tech Workers to Embrace the Office

May 2, 2022

May 2, 2022

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Sorry Elon, ‘Open Source’ Algorithms Won’t Improve Twitter

On the contrary, revealing the platform’s code could expose the average user to more junk tweets, lies and offensive language.

Elon Musk To Buy Twitter

March 27, 2022

March 27, 2022

OpinionCathy O'Neil

The Vaccine-Hesitant Could Use Some Friendly Shame

Talking down won’t work, but appealing to responsibility might. Excerpt from “The Shame Machine: Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation.”

The Vaccine-Hesitant Could Use Some Friendly Shame

December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Hiring Algorithms Can’t Be Fixed by Employers Alone

If the Data & Trust Alliance wants to address unfair discrimination, it should set some binding standards.

Inside The GITAI Robotics Company

November 18, 2021

November 18, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

A Chronological Feed Wouldn’t Fix Facebook

The social media platform has grown up on the assumption that we don’t want to hear from most of the “friends” in our networks.

US-IT-FACEBOOK

October 8, 2021

October 8, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Facebook’s Algorithms Are Too Big to Fix

But by demanding specific types of data, authorities can start to hold the company accountable.

US-IT-FACEBOOK

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Facebook’s Instagram Research Isn’t Anything Like Science

The inadequacy of its efforts to establish the truth should be a scandal, too.

Facebook’s Instagram Research Isn’t Anything Like Science

September 15, 2021

September 15, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Facebook’s VIP ‘Whitelist’ Reveals Two Big Problems

The company knows its moderation algorithm doesn’t work and doesn’t want to admit it.

House Committees Confront Tech CEOs Over Online Spread Of False Info

September 7, 2021

September 7, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Getting a Covid-19 Vaccine Can Still Save Your Life

But many people won't believe it without better data showing exactly how effective vaccines remain.

A Covid-19 Testing And Vaccination Site Reopens As Louisiana Cases Rise

June 3, 2021

June 3, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

College Admissions Shouldn’t Be Trusted to Humans

Random selection would save a lot of money and trouble, and improve diversity.

College Admissions Shouldn’t Be Trusted to Humans

April 29, 2021

April 29, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

How Good Are Vaccines? Try 99.9999% Effective

That 95% efficacy number isn’t the whole story.

How Good Are Vaccines? Try 99.9999% Effective

April 8, 2021

April 8, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Covid-19 Is About to Become Much Less Deadly

Rising case numbers in the U.S. won’t necessarily translate into more fatalities.

Covid-19 Is About to Become Much Less Deadly

March 17, 2021

March 17, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

NFL Concussion Case Illustrates a Deadly Form of Racism

Correcting medical bias will require vigilance and care.

Oakland Raiders v Denver Broncos

February 27, 2021

February 27, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Tailored Ads Are Killing the Informed Consumer

How can people be discerning when the internet is making choices for them?

Unemployment Rate Remains At 7.6 Percent

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Facebook and Twitter Can’t Police What Gets Posted

Neither AI nor humans seem capable of properly moderating content.

US-VOTE-IT-INTERNET

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Three Covid-19 Indicators to Worry About Now

Cases are in decline, but the suffering isn’t over.

Inside A California Hospital Covid-19 ICU

February 7, 2021

February 7, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

Vaccinations Are Going Pretty Well If You’re White

The chaotic U.S. vaccine campaign is headed for an inequitable and corrupt result.

US-HEALTH-VIRUS-VACCINE

January 28, 2021

January 28, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

To Protect Consumers, Watch the Finance Algorithms

The next head of the CFPB has some work to do.

House Antitrust Hearing On Online Platforms And Market Power

January 21, 2021

January 21, 2021

OpinionCathy O'Neil

More Surveillance Won’t Solve Right-Wing Extremism

But it would be bad news for immigrants and minorities.

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