Opinion: Facebook harms its customers and competitors with little to no consequence
Born during a global movement focused on racist police violence, the #StopHateForProfit campaign began in mid-June to curb the amplification of hate online. Since then, household-name companies including Coca-Cola and Starbucks joined. Even Canada’s five largest banks have taken a stand.
To justify the harms brought by this approach, Facebook’s apologists will say this is an acceptable tradeoff to protect free speech, but as we all know, free speech has reasonable limits. Every society has set limits on the speech it thinks is appropriate to keep its people, economy and democracy safe.
Countless small businesses are in a difficult spot with no good alternatives to Facebook to promote their business. And, of course, many of these businesses are still gasping for air in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the Cambridge Analytica scandal, massive data breaches, abuse of user data, poor security practices, psychological experiments, record-setting fines and countless other controversies have not been enough to meaningfully reform the social media giant.
A pedestrian wearing a mask walks along Dundas Street West in Toronto past a poster stating “Wanted Theft Of News Content” refering to Facebook founder and owner Mark Zuckerberg and his company’s media usage practises, June 3, 2020.That a movement of multinational corporations, civil liberties groups and grassroots activists can come together during a global pandemic should serve as a wake-up call for Facebook and lawmakers around the world.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here are all the battlefronts on which TikTok is currently fightingTikTok is battling many fronts, including a possible ban in the U.S., the national security law in China, and competitors eager to pounce on its challenges and win over its audience.
Read more »
Want to refinance into a record-low mortgage rate? Do these 6 thingsICYMI - Want to refinance into a record-low mortgage rate? Do these 6 things
Read more »
'There Is No Victim': Bloc Quebecois Leader Responds To Sex Assault ClaimYves-Francois Blanchet demanded the Facebook page where the claim was posted retract it.
Read more »
In Chetna's Healthy Indian: Vegetarian, Chetna Makan revels in refreshing and bright plant-based food\u0027My aim is to help you feel more confident using veg, and become a little more experimental with pulses,\u0027 says Chetna Makan
Read more »
Trump Doubles Down On Claim Coronavirus Will Disappear: 'I'll Be Right Eventually'The president also took a jab at Anthony Fauci, calling the country's top infectious disease expert 'a little bit of an alarmist.'
Read more »