Should we be more concerned about Facebook?

[spicyayam]

I am a strong believer in tech and the internet for good. I have also always believed that we shouldn't blame technology for problems that happen in the 'real world'. Before the shooting in NZ I watched this documentary about FB which I can highly recommend:

One thing that stood out for me, is how someone commented that FB's news feed purposely posts items that will stir your emotion. I, perhaps naively, thought it was based on my interests, what I had 'liked' for example. So FB purposely posts things which they know you disagree with to make you more emotional, to in turn make you more addicted to the site.

Another issue I have and is rarely mentioned in the privacy debates is when you delete something it is removed from public view rather than being deleted from their databases.

Will I delete my account? no. Will I think more about the consequences of what I post/write? Yes. Do I want my kids to join? no. Maybe joining under a pseudonym is an option.

I think it is fair to say FB aren't doing enough to monitor their own platform and controlling hate speech.

Facebook failed to block 20% of uploaded New Zealand shooter videos

Facebook said it removed 1.5 million videos from its site within the first 24 hours after a shooter livestreamed his attack on two New Zealand mosques, killing 50 people. In a series of tweets, Facebook’s Mia Garlick said a total of 1.2 million videos were blocked at the point of upload. Videos...

techcrunch.com

 

[Markit]

Just like porn the subject matter, be it naked people doing funny thing to each other or killing each other, the thing that astonishes me is that there will, apparently, always be people willing and happy to watch any form of brutality and more than enough formats willing to supply these desires.

It aint FB, Twitter, WeChat, What'sApp or any other silly name ---- it's the crazy people that want to consume their products and images that really worry me - the internet companies will now always be around.

 

[PERtoDPS]

I have de-activated and re-activated my Facebook a few times in the last year due to this sort of stuff, the initial thing that caused me to do it was working for a company that folded leaving many customers with outstanding debt, not my doing I was just a worker in the company but in the front lines receiving all the hate.

I can honestly say, I like my life better without it, too many posts I would see that rile me up, critised by people I don't respect and triggered too many emotions. If I need it I just turn it on for a day or two and de activate it again.

 

[Balifrog]

I dont have FB, twitter, Instagram or all this stuff... And I dont think I miss anything.
WTF, having 500 virtual "friends" ?
Makes me laugh when seeing people adding to the hype and then complaining it turned against them...

 

[tel522]

Ya I think it can be quite dangerous to live your life online .

 

[Markit]

Nobody "lives their life online" unless it's some trend-desperate school kids that shouldn't be there anyway. FB/What'sApp/Instagram are no different than this forum - it's just a bunch of like-minded people discussing shit. Take part, don't, think it's important or just smears on the toilet wall - nobody cares.

 

[tel522]

Nobody "lives their life online" unless it's some trend-desperate school kids that shouldn't be there anyway. FB/What'sApp/Instagram are no different than this forum - it's just a bunch of like-minded people discussing shit. Take part, don't, think it's important or just smears on the toilet wall - nobody cares.

I have a few "non schoolies " in my list of contacts whom every time they pick up a knife and fork ,fotos appear on facebook .

 

[ronb]

Items selected for you interests will make emotional connections - you are playing with words here.

Should you be more concerned about Facebook _ I don't think so. Of course you know that they have information about you that they sell to advertisers - but this has always been.

Final thought, people with dramatic friendship changes like divorce need to spend some time reviewing FB friend lists and permissions. Maybe at that moment suspending FB until you have more time to think it through could be prudent.

 

[Chigong]

There's a lot of reasons to be concerned with Facebook. I deleted my account two years ago. Privacy and control over personal information was the deal breaker for me.

 

[Juggler]

watch a movie/doco on netflix called the big(great)? hack....cambridge analytica.... very scary stuff..
the large tech def have way to much power/ info

 

[PERtoDPS]

the great hack is correct name

 

[Markit]

I have a few "non schoolies " in my list of contacts whom every time they pick up a knife and fork ,fotos appear on facebook .

"School kids" I guess can also be a mental state, not necessarily a biological age.

 

[Markit]

watch a movie/doco on netflix called the big(great)? hack....cambridge analytica.... very scary stuff..
the large tech def have way to much power/ info

To me it's the same as would everyone believe the shit written on public toilet walls and I'm sure with the passage of a few years (decades?) most people will realize that just because you see something that looks bonafide and "official" online that it aing necessarily so!