INFORMATIONAL TOTALITARIANISM: SOCIAL NETWORKS AS A TOOL OF MASS CONTROL AND MANIPULATION

This article explores the phenomenon of informational totalitarianism as a new form of social control and manipulation in the digital age. Special attention is given to the role of social networks, which have transformed from communication tools into mechanisms of algorithmic control over mass consciousness. The article analyzes how technologies of content personalization, psychological influence, and big data are altering the nature of freedom, identity, and critical thinking. The necessity for a philosophical and scientific reflection on the new challenges faced by humanity in the context of the information revolution is emphasized.