Friday 28 June 2013

Is It Just Me: Who Thinks Facebook Needs to Face Up To Scrutiny?

Oh dear oh dear.

It appears that Facebook may finally be facing up to what many of us users have thought for a while. And, no, I don't mean the ever changing sodding settings and layout tweaks either.

What I do mean is Facebooks questionable opinions on what you and I set up as Group pages on their site. Which, as we all know, they earn very well out of, and are an integral part of the site. 


Despite banning for containing "obscene content" any group, post or picture in support of or giving advice on breast feeding, Facebook time and time again allow other sites, such as those which promote violence against women (including those called "Fly Kicking Sluts in the Uterus" and "Raping your female friend just for laughs"), or Holocaust denial groups. I know which, as a Facebook user, I'd rather see closed.

Usually, no matter how many times a user clicks to report content, Facebook kind of replies with a shrug that it's freedom of speech. I always imagine the people who do this to be slightly jerky characters who work while chewing gum and resting their feet on their desk.

Anyway, it seems that, even though we make them billions, and Zuckerberg loves to communicate with us all, its the big boys who have made him gulp and decide to, perhaps, review its eyebrow raising policies.


Some brands are giving Facebook the Thumbs Down

It's been reported that several massive companies, mostly based here in the UK- including Nissan, Nationwide, Marks and Spencer, and BSkyB- have reviewed whether or not they really want their respected brands to be associated with Facebook. Thus, they have pulled their ad revenue from the site with immediate effect.

Good on them!

Sadly, it feels like Facebook started the site with good intentions, but sadly as the popularity grew and the earning potential (and bank balance) increased, dollar signs have blinded the group from what is, and isn't deemed acceptable. 

Take away that earning power and suddenly Facebook and those who run it agree with what many of us users- longterm or otherwise- have voiced many times over, and been ignored. 

The site we all used to know and love may have grown to a huge level, but it must, must be more transparent on what it will and wont allow, and it also must be in tune with the users- before they turn their backs for good (its happened before- just look at MySpace). To simply fob off users who happily help Police the site by reporting sites and photos which are purely there to offend is not acceptable, and I am proud that UK companies are taking a stand alongside their customers.

Let's hope Facebook learn a thing or two about how to work and listen to their customers.

2 comments:

  1. Coombe Mill (Fiona)28 June 2013 at 22:16

    It won't hurt facebook to feel a little threatenend by UK businesses.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thefamilypatch28 June 2013 at 22:43

    Ooh well said! I personally hate Facebook & would have closed my account ages ago (almost did earlier this year) if it weren't for the fact I am a member offf a few groups on there I don't want to lose (eg the pregnancy sickness support group). It just isn't what it used to be and I get more and more fed up and angry with it as time goes on and one day I probably will leave... Sso it's great to hear that big, influential companies here in the UK are questioning their connection to it! Where did you hear this? Is it in the news?

    ReplyDelete

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