Identifying the Effects of Algorithmic Gatekeeping in Media Platforms on the General Interests of Users

This research was codacted to identify the effects of algorithmic gatekeeping in media platforms on the general interests of Iranian platform and users. The research was carried out using the qualitative approach and the theme analysis method. The data was collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 18 experts in the field of media platforms as well as platform ecosystem policy makers. The findings were classified into 7 main themes, which are "developing algorithmic gatekeeping in platforms with big data", "Content personalization through algorithms", "Displaying advertisements based on the economic enterprises demand", "Algorithmic gatekeeping and restriction of freedom of receiving and Publishing content", "Algorithmic gatekeeping and user privacy", "Algorithmic gatekeeping and the power to shape social and cultural structure" and "Algorithmic gatekeeping affects users' political attitudes". The findings showed that the effect of algorithmic gatekeeping on platforms on the interests of users can be classified in three general dimensions of issues related to "users' freedom of expression", "users' privacy" and "social-political effects of platforms". The results also showed that the Iranian platforms gatekeeping is for political and social influences, although it does not seem to be the case for economic influences.