Should we boycott Facebook?

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Argument forFacebook hogs users' personal data
Argument forFacebook is unreliable
Argument forFacebook is a propaganda tool
Argument forFacebook is an all-powerful company
Argument forThere are free alternatives to Facebook
Argument forThe moderation policy is wrong
Argument forFacebook is harmful to its users
Argument forFacebook is a cynical, criminal company ready to spill blood for pure greed.
Argument againstFacebook is a tool for expression
Argument againstWe all need to keep in touch with those around us
Argument againstThere's no more reason to boycott Facebook than other web giants
Argument againstFacebook is the social network used by the majority of people
Keywords : Facebook, Boycott[ edit ].

To understand the debateTo understand the debate

IntroductionWhere does Facebook come from?

Facebook is an American company founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, and whose name comes from the English word "facebook", meaning "face book". The company's rapid growth has made it one of the biggest in the world. Today, the Facebook group, which has since acquired numerous other companies such as Instagram and Whatsapp, has annual sales of $34 billion (2017).

IntroductionNews from the debate

In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica affair and the various accusations against Facebook over its use of its users' personal data, many voices are calling for a boycott of the world's most widely used social network. Facebook is facing controversy from within. Former employees have criticized the social network as "destructive to the way our society works", in the words of Sean Parker, ex-president of Mark Zuckerberg's company. In an article in the French newspaper "Le Monde", he expresses his concern and regret at having played a part in the success of a company that "prioritizes the collection of data from its users rather than protecting them from abuse", in the words of another former employee. Beyond the obscure treatment of personal data, users are sceptical about the benefits of using Facebook. A hobby that some describe as unhealthy and depressing. The content shared is not representative of the real world, and could lead to disillusionment or even withdrawal. Distrust has spread, and a keyword has been coined: #deletefacebook. But is it really possible to leave Facebook altogether? Isn't reasonable use of social networks enough?

Arguments for

  • Argument forFacebook hogs users' personal data
  • Argument forFacebook is unreliable
  • Argument forFacebook is a propaganda tool
  • Argument forFacebook is an all-powerful company
  • Argument forThere are free alternatives to Facebook
  • Argument forThe moderation policy is wrong
  • Argument forFacebook is harmful to its users
  • Argument forFacebook is a cynical, criminal company ready to spill blood for pure greed.

Arguments against

  • Argument againstFacebook is a tool for expression
  • Argument againstWe all need to keep in touch with those around us
  • Argument againstThere's no more reason to boycott Facebook than other web giants
  • Argument againstFacebook is the social network used by the majority of people

To go furtherTo go further

BibliographyBibliography

  • Ippolita, J'aime pas Facebook, Payot, 2012.
  • Jacques Séguéla, Le diable s'habille en GAFA: Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Coup de gueule, 2018.
  • David Kirkpatrick, La révolution Facebook, JC Lattès, 2011.
  • Jérôme Colombain, Réseaux (a)sociaux : Faut-il quitter Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram ?, Qapla, 2018.

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