Facebook never fails to avoid controversy. On Sept. 21, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder and current CEO, announced that his company would give over 3,000 Russian-linked ads to Congress. Those were used during the 2016 presidential campaign to convey false information and propaganda.
How convenient it is for him to appear as the savior of democracy when the system he created brings complete chaos to the world. Media and political institutions have been addressing the question of Russian influence on President Donald Trump’s victory this year a lot.
Russia presence on Facebook throughout the campaign might be the real issue to worry about. This is not the first time Facebook has found itself in the middle of a scandal. Before selling ad inserts to serve Russian propaganda, it dealt with the sales of consumers’ data and incitement to hatred or violence, among other controversies.
Facebook already has access to the most private information about one third of the global population. Two billion people use Facebook. Each new account created, and each login, enables the company to have it all. This includes phone number, email address, places where one likes to shop, potential friends in an area, political affiliation and more.
The users are aware of the lack of privacy being on social media involves. Yet, questions and concerns usually cool down once Mark Zuckerberg appears. Then users continue logging in. Some may argue that, given the private status of Zuckerberg’s company, it is rather noble of him to offer the ads to Congress.
That is right, he does not have to, and that is why every part of the story is political. Every move Zuckerberg has made since the election of Trump in November seems to lay groundwork for his potential race for office in 2020.
He said his goal for 2017 was to meet citizens from every one of the 50 states and to report it on his own social media. Anyone in politics knows that is how one campaigns. In three years, because of the last election, showing complete transparency is how he will hope to get elected, hence the close collaboration with the federal institutions.
Do not let the cover fool you. Facebook is not led by a good Samaritan. Corporations work this way. The better their image, the more consumers they acquire, and the more money they make. In a sense, politics is the same.
Someone who appears serious and honest in every respect will have a leg up gathering support and winning an election. However, knowing how to manipulate masses is not a quality that should be looked for in future office holders. America should be careful.
We know what comes up when business and politics mingle. On that note, let us log into our Facebook account and share our deepest thoughts with Zuckerberg.
Photo: Rachel Futterman | The Oswegonian
