Monopoly of Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg is a name that many people seem to hate. But why is that? To fully understand why people despise him, we need to consider what he stands for: Facebook.
Launched in 2004, Facebook has since come to monopolise the social media industry. With more than two billion users, the platform has managed to build a vast user-base and hold on to it for almost two decades. This monopoly of Facebook has caused some significant damage to the industry, and it all relies on Mark Zuckerberg’s decisions.
The platform can be seen as a virtual dictatorship. Zuckerberg has maintained his control over the platform by preventing competition from growing and by constantly expanding their capabilities. This has caused people to lose access to a wide range of services, as well as making it difficult for small businesses to compete.
The way Facebook operates can also be considered unfair. For example, the terms of service allow Facebook to monetize the data of its users, using it to gain insight into trends, target ads and increase profits – all without the user’s knowledge or consent.
Additionally, Zuckerberg’s refusal to regulate Facebook’s content, in spite of numerous pleas from NGOs and activists, has meant that the platform has become a breeding ground for hate speech and fake news. Fake news has become increasingly widespread in recent years, making it difficult for users to navigate their way around the website and access factual information.
Overall, the actions of Mark Zuckerberg have had a highly detrimental effect on the social media industry and its users. The monopoly of Facebook that he has created has caused significant damage to the industry and so it is understandable why some people are so hostile to him.
Lack of Transparency
One of the biggest issues with Mark Zuckerberg is his lack of transparency when it comes to his decisions and practices. This lack of transparency means that people are constantly in the dark when it comes to how the platform works and what changes have been made.
For example, changes to the algorithm that decide the content that is shown on people’s News Feeds have been put in place without any form of notification or consultation. Similarly, changes to the privacy settings have also been made without informing users. This has created a feeling of frustration and mistrust in Zuckerberg, as people are left feeling out of control and like they are no longer in charge of their own experience on Facebook.
On top of this, the user data collected by Facebook is vast and opaque. Even the most tech-savvy of users are unable to understand what is being collected and how it is being used. This lack of transparency leaves people feeling exposed and vulnerable, further adding to the hostility that some people feel towards Mark Zuckerberg.
This sense of mistrust and vulnerability has only been worsened by Zuckerberg’s refusal to be held accountable for the actions of his company. The Cambridge Analytica scandal is a perfect example of this, as Zuckerberg failed to take responsibility for the harvesting of users’ data on a mass scale.
Therefore, the lack of transparency and accountability of Mark Zuckerberg is one of the main reasons why people despise him.
The Wealth Gap
In addition to the monopoly of Facebook and lack of transparency, people also despise Mark Zuckerberg due to the wealth gap he has created. His immense wealth and status as the sixth-richest person on the planet has caused feelings of envy and hatred for many people.
Mark Zuckerberg currently has a net worth of over 70 billion dollars, but it is estimated that 5% of his profits are reinvested in the company. This lack of philanthropy and contribution to the communities he has profited from can be seen by many as a sign of disrespect and a disregard for society. Moreover, the majority of the wealth being sponged up by Zuckerberg benefits the top 1%, leaving the rest to struggle.
It is not only the wealth gap created by Zuckerberg which people find unfair, but also the privileges and special treatment shown to him. While other companies must adhere to strict regulations, Facebook has largely been exempt due to their powerful position. This double standard has fuelled feelings of resentment for many people and thus fuelled the hatred towards Mark Zuckerberg.
Overall, Mark Zuckerberg’s creation of a huge wealth gap has been one of the most significant reasons why he has been so heavily criticised and despised.
Lack of Social Responsibility
In addition to the wealth gap, Mark Zuckerberg’s failure to take social responsibility has caused even more resentment from the public. It is widely accepted that social media has had negative effects on mental health, amongst many other issues, yet Zuckerberg has rarely acknowledged this nor taken action to reduce the impact of his platform.
The negative effects of social media are widely documented, with numerous studies highlighting the harmful effects of using the platform, such as depression, anxiety and body image issues. Despite great pressure from both the public and experts, Zuckerberg has failed to take any meaningful action to improve the situation.
The way he has reacted to criticism has also been widely condemned. When people have raised their concerns and said his platform needs to be regulated, he has refused and ignored the issue. This lack of ability to face criticism, combined with his lack of social responsibility, has caused a lot of resentment from the public.
The combination of these issues has meant that Zuckerberg’s actions, or lack thereof, have caused significant levels of social harm and so it understandable as to why so many people despise him.
Creating Communities, Not Connections
It is also important to consider the role Facebook has played in creating communities, rather than connections, as a contributing factor to the hate felt towards Mark Zuckerberg.
Social media is often viewed as a platform which helps people to connect with one another, but many people argue that Facebook has contributed to further divisions between people. Through its algorithm, the platform isolates issues, creates echo chambers and isolates people from one another – rather than bringing them together.
The way Facebook profits from this is also questionable. They encourage people to stay on the platform for longer, as well as increasing their engagement with the platform. To achieve this, the algorithm amplifies negative and controversial content, creating a feeling of anger and tension which can tear communities apart.
Therefore, despite its intended purpose, Facebook has had a negative effect on the way people interact and communicate with each other and this is another reason why people hate Mark Zuckerberg and his platform.
Opportunity or Exploitation?
Finally, some people believe that Mark Zuckerberg has exploited his users to create his vast wealth and power. Initially set up as a platform to help people to connect, it has since become clear that there is a darker side to Facebook.
Facebook has become a multi-billion dollar company and a powerful monopoly due to the way it has profited from the data of its users. The fact that the company has continued to monetise this data, regardless of its users’ wishes, has caused many to view Mark Zuckerberg as nothing more than another exploitative capitalist.
The amount of power and wealth that Zuckerberg has managed to hold over the industry has left people feeling powerless, as well as feeling betrayed for being manipulated for profit. This feeling of exploitation has driven many people to despise Mark Zuckerberg.
Profit Over People?
Above all else, it can be argued that it is Zuckerberg’s prioritisation of his own financial gain over the needs of his users which has caused the greatest hatred. Despite the many protests and calls for action, Zuckerberg has consistently failed to make meaningful changes in response to the various scandals that have plagued Facebook.
It has become clear that Mark Zuckerberg’s true priority is unquestionably the profit of Facebook, regardless of the cost to human beings. This truth has caused many people to feel enraged and this has led to their hostility towards the CEO of Facebook.
Unfair Treatment of Workers
Finally, it is important to consider the treatment of its workers by Facebook, as this has caused a lot of hostility towards Zuckerberg. Despite being an incredibly profitable company, Facebook has been accused of employing exploitative practices in its various offices.
Employees have reported long working hours and low pay, as well as a toxic and oppressive environment that often leads to employees feeling overworked and undervalued. Moreover, these practices are illogical, as they are likely to lead to an increase in employee turnover and a decrease in the quality of work produced.
By failing to improve the working conditions he has created, Zuckerberg has inspired hatred from the public due to his obvious disregard for the lives and wellbeing of his workers.
