Undress or fail: Instagram’s algorithm strong-arms users into showing skin

Good investigations either surprise with what they uncover or they deliver proof for something that one might have suspected. This one falls in between, depending on how cynical you already are about the workings of ad-powered digital businesses. The European Data Journalism Network and Algorithm Watch have found that Instagram gives more reach to images that have barechested men or women in bikinis in it. A mind-blowing bit – and one reason why this investigation matters: «Among the 18-to-24-year-olds, Instagram penetration is about 100% in every EU country.»