Optimizing for Engagement: Understanding the Use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms

Transcript · U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Tristan Harris, witness · June 25, 2019

Harris compared pull-to-refresh with a slot machine and discussed infinite scroll’s removal of stopping cues, social validation, autoplay, and algorithmic prediction.

Optimizing for Engagement: Understanding the Use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms

Hearing title

Harris compared pull-to-refresh with a slot machine and discussed infinite scroll’s removal of stopping cues, social validation, autoplay, and algorithmic prediction. Supports attribution of these persuasive-design claims to Harris; they are testimony and analysis, not formal congressional findings.

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