Over the past 18 months, social media giant Facebook has been heavily criticized by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Musk delivered his first public criticism of Facebook in September 2018, when he discussed the dangers posed by social media companies such as Facebook at the South By Southwest Conference. At the lectern, Musk proclaimed that users should be wary of giving these companies too much power and importance in their lives.
Musk was also critical of Facebook in July 2019, when it was revealed that Facebook had granted certain companies access to sensitive user information. Musk took to Twitter at the time to criticize Facebook, saying that the company was “lax on privacy and not taking responsibility for the damage it’s doing to the world.”
Musk’s most recent criticism of Facebook came in October 2019 following the scandal involving the platform’s data breach and subsequent attempts to downplay the severity of the situation. “Facebook fails to self-impose adequate, meaningful constraints to its activities,” he wrote on Twitter.
Musk’s public criticism of Facebook has been accompanied by an increasingly vocal resistance to the company’s attempts to expand its power. In April 2019, he declared that the company’s secretive plans to launch its own digital currency were “one step too far” and urged his followers to avoid the venture. Musk has also spoken out against Facebook’s plans to enter the political advertising market, accusing the company of “bribing people[s]” with “fake money”.
The tech entrepreneur has also taken aim at Facebook’s influence over democracy and its attempts to control the flow of information. In November 2019, Musk said that the company’s control over political discourse could be “very problematic” and that “not enough people know what’s going on behind the scenes.”
Elon Musk is not the only one to have raised concerns about the power of Facebook. In February 2019, Microsoft founder Bill Gates told Fox Business that he believes the company lacks “the kind of oversight that would be important for a company of that sophistication”. Similarly, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has also publicly criticized the social media site over recent years, citing concerns about data collection and privacy.
Data Collection Practices of Facebook
Facebook’s data collection and usage practices have been at the center of Elon Musk’s criticism of the company. Many of the company’s actions have been called into question by users, regulators and the media. These include Facebook’s use of third-party data brokers, its failure to make user data accessible, and its lack of transparency when it comes to how it collects and uses data.
In light of these issues, a number of industry experts have suggested that Facebook needs to implement better safeguards to protect users’ data. Noted cryptographer Bruce Schneier has called on the company to “make it easier for users to know what data is being collected, who is collecting it, and what it is being used for”. Former Facebook data scientist Jeff Hammerbacher has similarly advised that users should “ask for clarity on how Facebook stores, processes, and secures user data”.
Regulation of Facebook
Facebook’s size and power have led some experts to call for increased government regulation of the company. Critics of the tech giant have pointed to the European Union’s recent introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as proof that increased government oversight should be considered. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager’s comments that “ Facebook should not be a law unto itself ” have been welcomed by Musk and his supporters.
In the United States, a number of proposals aimed at regulating tech companies such as Facebook have been circulated in Congress. These include proposals to create a data privacy agency to regulate the collection and use of user information, as well as calls for the creation of an antitrust regulator to assess the power of tech companies such as Facebook.
Despite the calls for tighter regulation, experts have pointed out that governments have been slow to act. As a result, some have called for increased public pressure on tech companies like Facebook to ensure that users’ data is kept safe and secure.
The Impact of Elon Musk on the Facebook Debate
Elon Musk’s public criticism of Facebook has had a significant impact on the public debate about the company. At the South By Southwest Conference in 2018, Musk’s comments about the power of social media companies made headlines around the world. In the months that followed, Musk’s criticisms of Facebook were widely reported and shared, leading to an ongoing dialogue about the company’s activities.
Musk’s criticisms of Facebook have also served as a rallying cry among users and experts who are concerned about the company’s activities. His views on the dangers posed by the company, and the need for increased government regulation of the tech giant, have resonated with many who believe that Facebook needs to be held accountable for its actions.
Facebook’s Response to Criticism
Facebook has been vocal in its defense of its actions, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg arguing that the company has taken “responsible steps to ensure that people’s data is secure and protected”. While the company has publicly committed to improving its user privacy policies and practices, there is still significant room for improvement.
The company has also taken steps to address some of the issues raised by users and experts. In October 2019, Facebook announced that it was introducing measures to improve its oversight of political ads, as well as an advertisement transparency initiative that will “enable people to better understand who is paying for ads”.
Over time, the company has sought to improve its handling of user data and its accountability to the public. However, many of these efforts have been met with skepticism from users and experts, who remain concerned about the company’s lack of transparency and the power it holds over public discourse.
Conclusion
Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of Facebook over the past 18 months, raising issues about the company’s data collection practices, misuse of user information, and lack of transparency. His comments have been echoed by other tech leaders, including Bill Gates and Steve Wozniak, and have had a significant impact on the public debate around the company.
Facebook has taken steps to respond to the criticisms, introducing measures to improve its handling of user data and transparency. However, debates about its power and influence remain ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether the company can assuage user concerns and restore faith in its practices.
