It looks like Facebook is in big trouble! People are using #deletefacebook hashtag on social media to fight against the company’s violation of privacy policies. Scroll down to find out why!
Why #DeleteFacebook Is Trending
Last weekend, news broke that a data firm Cambridge Analytica used Facebook to harvest data from 50 million profiles illegitimately. Then they used it to target voters during Trump’s 2016 campaign for the US presidency. Cambridge Analytica pulled information by paying people to take quizzes and proceeded to use that information gathered from users’ friends without any permission. Christopher Wylie – Cambridge Analytica founder – came forward about the illegitimate use of data in an interview with The Guardian. He said Facebook knew his company had gathered a large sum of data back in 2015.
At the time, Facebook deleted the quiz and company lawyers sent a letter to Cambridge Analytica asking to remove the information. But Facebook never followed up to make sure the deed was done properly. Ever since the interview, users are expressing their anger at the irresponsible use of their data by trending the hashtag #DeleteFacebook. Apparently, the personal information Cambridge Analytica pulled helps build psychographic profiles that assessed things. For instance, IQ, agreeableness, political views, and personality traits. The analysis was so in-depth and detailed that the company was able to categorise people into five “sensational interest”.
To be specific, they are militarism, violent occultism, intellectual activities, credulousness and wholesome interests. More than two years after the alleged data breach from Cambridge Analytica was first reported, and four days after the Guardian reached out to Facebook for comment, Facebook finally suspended Cambridge Analytica from its platform on March 16. A few days later, it suspended Wylie’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
IS THIS THE END OF FACEBOOK SOCIAL NETWORK?
Both companies, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, are now under investigation. Besides that, Facebook’s stock has dropped 8% from market close on Friday as of noon ET on Monday. Do you think this is the end of Facebook? Share your opinion below!