Facebook’s Apology Needs Some Serious Rewriting
Even though the latest quarterly figures and an increase in users tell us something different, Facebook has every reason to panic. Their charm offensive has been going on for quite some time, but after ‘Cambridge Gate’ Facebook’s PR machine works overtime. A large campaign currently runs in the US to limit damages as much as possible.
The current discussion concerns privacy, unlawfully obtained data, Russian trolls, and ‘filter bubbles’. Facebook responds as usual: with excuses, new promises, and adjusted conditions. And because the policy makers have little understanding of how these platforms actually work, Facebook seems to be let off the hook quite easily.
But if you pay attention you will see that Facebook has a much bigger challenge. Now we are more aware of how irresponsible Facebook handles our data, the ‘idealistic and optimistic’ company’s good intentions are increasingly questioned. We’re beginning to realize that Facebook has only one goal: keeping us glued to the platform the entire day. Is more connection created, or is our attention highjacked and sold for a lot of money?
Has Facebook deliberately turned us into social media addicts?
"The fact that the American elections have been manipulated on such a scale, with the result that Trump is now the most powerful man in the world, is something that appeals to everyone’s imagination."
This article was published in Dutch at Adformatie.nl and translated by Imme Visser
Share this article

No comment yet, add your voice below!