If you are a Facebook user, you are probably aware of the recent changes in user privacy. These changes have frustrated some of the more than 400 million active users Facebook says it has. Frustrated users feel their privacy isn’t valued, that there is a ‘lack of respect for their data’ and, because of these and other things, are creating a movement to “Quit Facebook.”
There is even a day dedicated to deleting your account. May 31 has been deemed “Quit Facebook Day.”
TheWeek.com explains, “Toronto-based systems designer Matthew Milan and “technologist” Joseph Dee decided to start a grassroots campaign, declaring May 31 official “Quit Facebook Day.” On their website, the duo says they “just can’t see Facebook’s current direction being aligned with any positive future for the web,” and ask visitors to “commit to quit.” As of this writing [May 20], about 3,000 people have vowed to do so.”
The irony of this whole situation is the use of social media to promote the rebellion. Twitter users are employing a hash tag (#FacebookProtest) to promote and communicate about the event and there is even an event listing on Facebook itself. ‘How do I delete my Facebook account’ has even become one of Google’s top search terms.
So now the question is, will it make a difference? My personal opinion is no. Given that the privacy changes were made on April 21st and only 3,000 users seem to have taken action, it will probably take a lot more to make a dent in the giant that is Facebook.
2024 Predictions
Thanks to everyone who responded to our 2024 Predictions survey last month. While the sample size wasn’t quite the size of a Pew or Nielsen,