Mark Zuckerberg has taken the unprecedented step of personally defending Facebook's business model in print.
Rather than write a screed on Siliphis own Facebook page, Zuckerberg chose to put in in the form of a 1,000-word article for the Wall Street Journal.
Titled "The Facts About Facebook," Zuckerberg's column focused on his company's advertising strategy and handling of user data. "I want to explain the principles of how we operate," it begins, before explaining that his free service needs ads to support it.
SEE ALSO: Surprise! Facebook's ad targeting makes people uncomfortable, study saysThe op-ed comes in the wake of months of criticism over Facebook data privacy scandals, such as the Cambridge Analytica controversy. It also comes ahead of federal data privacy legislation, which legal experts expect will pass in 2019.
While admitting the company's data dealings can "feel opaque" and cause distrust, Zuckerberg insisted: "We don’t sell people’s data, even though it’s often reported that we do."
He added: "selling people’s information to advertisers would be counter to our business interests, because it would reduce the unique value of our service to advertisers. We have a strong incentive to protect people’s information from being accessed by anyone else."
Given the aim to be transparent, it's ironic that he wasn't clear on several fronts. First off: why choose the Wall Street Journal? The paper's notoriously hard-right editorial pages are not exactly a choice of venue designed to win over critics on the left.
Facebook spokesperson Elisabeth Diana told Business Insiderthere was "no real rationale" behind the choice, and that the Journal"is read in several countries." With 119 million followers on his public page, however, there's a good chance a post from Zuckerberg would also be read in several countries.
Zuckerberg was right about one thing: most people aren't comfortable with Facebook's ad targeting practices. But he maintained that users are in control: "You can find out why you’re seeing an ad and change your preferences to get ads you’re interested in. And you can use our transparency tools to see every different ad an advertiser is showing to anyone else."
He also said that when Facebook asked people for permission to use their information for ads in compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, "the vast majority agreed because they prefer more relevant ads." But in May 2018, Facebook was reported to be quietly looking into ways to limit the number of users protected by Europe's tough new data law.
The Facebook founder vaguely addressed the issue of deliberate misinformation, something the company has been tackling for more than two years. Zuckerberg said the platform does not leave "harmful or divisive" content up for engagement, and that although Facebook's fake news detection practices are "not perfect," they're still working on it.
"People consistently tell us they don’t want to see this content. Advertisers don’t want their brands anywhere near it," he wrote.
With the Federal Trade Commission reportedly considering a "record-setting" fine for Facebook after an investigation into its privacy practices, transparency now seems to be a priority for Zuckerberg. But he could be a little more transparent about his defense strategy itself.
Topics Facebook Privacy Social Media
Stablecoin bill advances in U.S. Senate as Trump critics call to end his crypto dealings
Looking to save on a Tesla? 9 tips for buying a used electric vehicle.
What to expect from Apple's October 18 event
How to delete a tweet and a retweet
The 10 Most Anticipated PC Games of 2017
HBO's 'Scenes from a Marriage' didn't need that gimmick
'Don't be that guy' addresses male sexual entitlement in a powerful PSA for men
A dispute between two countries slowed clocks down across Europe by six minutes
4GHz CPU Battle: AMD 2nd
This Kate Middleton finger optical illusion is confusing the internet
Best security deal: The 8
Salma Hayek is firmly against Barbie's Frida Kahlo doll
The 10 best National Geographic series on Disney+ to help you learn something new
This Kate Middleton finger optical illusion is confusing the internet
Best roborock deal: Save $400 on Q5 Pro+ Robot Vacuum and Mop
Australian heroes brave floodwaters to save a giant spider
Gaping hole opened up in 'Last Ice Area' of the Arctic, NASA images show
'You' reaches twisted new heights in Season 3
The strangeness of Japan's decision to start openly hunting whales
Trump's dead father mistake may be his most awkward moment this week
If 'Sex and the City' starred Jeff Goldblum in every roleEllen Page says she was harassed by Brett Ratner and other Hollywood menChinese company offers lifetime's supply of liquor for just $1,673Amazon reportedly plans to make drivers double as furniture installersEllen Page says she was harassed by Brett Ratner and other Hollywood menMan feeds kangaroos toast, still gets attacked by one'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' set up tons of new Marvel storiesThe @me Twitter account gets 'hundreds' of notifications per dayWhy the spectacular Muldrow Glacier is surging in AlaskaRebel Wilson says she was sexually harassed by a Hollywood coPuppy thieves return dog to little girl, after seemingly feeling bad about the whole thingGoogle Chrome now lets you link people to highlighted text on a websiteApple's 2021 iPad Pro packs its M1 chip, 5G, and miniCadillac's first electric SUV will arrive early for just under $60,000Ellen Page says she was harassed by Brett Ratner and other Hollywood menHubble captures a massive black hole blazing trails across the cosmosHow to watch Apple's spring event on 420How to listen to audiobooks: Free apps vs. paid subscriptionsWomen pose naked, covered in glitter for body positive Instagram projectWomen pose naked, covered in glitter for body positive Instagram project Apple's iMessage system leaves one bit of data open to authorities Poor guy loses ring while proposing on the jumbotron at Yankee Stadium Former Miss Universe Alicia Machado just became Donald Trump's nightmare 5 beautiful tributes to José Fernández from Monday night's game Fleet Foxes frontman bestows his sweater upon a fan who made a Tumblr for it A foot of rain may fall in the Washington, D.C., area by Friday We need to talk about Colin Kaepernick becoming the 49ers starting quarterback Could a revenge porn case in Northern Ireland change Facebook across the planet? Vine star Jay Versace opens up about his sexuality in a Snap This amazing 'Fantastic Beasts' trailer will make you weep wizard tears 'Order a daddy' app lets you swipe for sperm donors, Tinder 'Stranger Things' star Gaten Matarazzo opens up about his genetic condition After wildly popular premiere, 'This Is Us' returns with another big twist No music taste? Spotify's 'Daily Mix' will just curate some for you. Silicon Valley VCs raise millions for an Aussie drone mapping startup 'Street Fighter V' Capcom Cup is coming to California in December Faster Amazon Fire TV Stick now comes with an Alexa remote control Matt Ryan may have just made the greatest non Kim Kardashian assaulted by same 'prankster' who grabbed Gigi Hadid Kanye West played 'Famous' three times in Taylor Swift's hometown
3.746s , 10136.1953125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Silip】,New Knowledge Information Network