Is it time to delete your Facebook?

By now, you’ve probably heard about it on the news.

The controversy began when Facebook had a data scandal in March 2018 involving Cambridge Analytica that impacted up to 87 million Facebook users. Facebook was harvesting hidden data that was improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica. Many Facebook users are deleting their accounts as a sign of protest. One of the most influential Facebook accounts deleted was Elon Musk; he deleted Space X, and Tesla Facebook accounts in protest of Facebook’s data scandal. Musk influenced several thousand of his followers to do the same as they promoted this hashtag #DeleteFacebook.

What is Cambridge Analytica?

Cambridge Analytica is a political analysis firm that claims to build psychological profiles of voters to help its clients win elections.  The company is accused of buying millions of Americans’ data from Facebook which makes it an unethical personal information breach. Cambridge Analytica claimed to help get President Donald Trump elected.

My position about deleting Facebook.

It’s not as easy as you think. Facebook has been in my life for over 10 years (since undergrad), and it has become so integrated into my daily life. It’s like telling me to throw way my Nespresso machine at home (I drink 2-3 cups of coffee day). I use Facebook as a platform to keep in touch with family and friends; more importantly, it keeps me updated with Annenberg events and news. Facebook also functions as a sign-on for many websites I visit (e.g., Linkedin, Glassdoor, Instagram). Facebook is so interwoven into my life that many of us don’t realize how dependent we’ve become on Facebook – it is more than a social networking site.

Regarding unethical data sharing, I believe Facebook isn’t the only tech giant that does this with our personal data. Imagine every Google search or every website you ever visited, that information is out there. From our online banking accounts to our online shopping habits/behaviors, I believe that information is known in the dark web. I believe at this point in time, when we’re at the age of information, there is no such thing privacy, BUT there is a thing called customer information protection. I believe companies like Facebook need stricter customer protection policies/laws.

My final thoughts about deleting Facebook is that I can delete my Facebook account – I will still be alive. My quality of life will be compromised but that’s okay, there are more important things in life to worry about.

Insights from USC Annenberg Assistant Professor, Safiya Noble: