Even though I did enjoy hearing about what relatives and friends are up to, I decided to delete my Facebook account. Not simply deactivate it like I had done previously but actually delete the profile. The public statements given by their executives after the latest data breach really put things in perspective. Basically, you choose to put things into Facebook so you must obviously agree that they can do whatever they want with those little tidbits of information. Collecting and marketing your data is their business and that is what allows them to provide the popular social media service for free. I can opt not to be a part of their business. This is also why I had deleted my Instagram account back when Facebook bought the photo sharing site. Facebook, the company, felt slimy before and it really hasn’t changed. Fortunately, I had never used Facebook as an authentication authority for any applications or websites. If I had, I would lose access to those sites when deleting my account.Oh well, this blog was originally and will continue to be my “not-Facebook” foray into social media. My Twitter account, @RMachida is still active but the only posts are automated ones from IFTTT whenever I put up a new blog post.
BTW, unless you use Google to find an article, the link to delete your account is kind of buried. And they won’t actually delete the profile for 14 days on the assumption that you will change your mind.
Wonder is some site is tracking membership numbers and their apparent recent losses of users and confidence therein.
ReplyDeleteI believe FB even tracks sites visited by people without FB accounts. Just they don't necessarily have a name to attach to it. I always thought that it was creepy to look at an item on some random web site then see posts in my timeline associated with that item or company.
DeleteOh Richard, I know that the recent issues with FB have caused a lot of people to drop the platform, but I find it so much easier to share updates from our travels quickly. I really need to get much better at doing quick updates on the blog, but until then, I'm afraid it's still FB for me. :(
ReplyDeleteYes, it is convenient to keep track of what others are up to. I was reluctant to start using the site in the first place but have gotten really tired of their direction and complete lack of concern for those using the site. aka "the product being marketed"
DeleteI was actually thinking of doing the same thing Richard, but our news is so censored and mostly crap on TV that I use it as my go-to for news and to keep up with friends and family.
ReplyDeleteMind you I rarely post anything on it, so I am not sure how much info they are getting from me. But still, I may follow suit and delete it.
Right now you are showing as deactivated on my friends list - must be the 14 day thing.
I don't watch TV. I've found that Twitter is a much better platform for news as you can select for yourself who to follow. I.e. individual journalists/reporters and not the media outlet itself. Many times I would "hear" of events well before it appears on any major news show if it even shows up at all.
DeleteI have to admit I've thought about it, but I just find it so useful for keeping track of friends and family scattered all over the globe. And that's really the only reason I'll stay with it. I don't rely on FB for news at all - too much of an echo chamber. I rely on news aggregators for most of my news, along with a few media outlets (like Washington Post, Globe and Mail.)
ReplyDeleteI have a twitter account but never really got into that platform as I find it too limiting for any in-depth discussion - for that FB is better, imo.
But, to each his own. I hope the withdrawal will not be too painful. :)
Being able to keep track of friends and family was convenient though their updated algorithm for determining what was in your timeline made it much less useful. If it was just a simple timeline in the order of posting it would make sense. But they changed it to only show what they consider important. I was missing a lot of posts from friends and relatives that FB didn't consider important.
DeleteSmart move Richard. TV and social media have little value to inform or educate anymore. Too many trolls and troll masters who use your personal data for their personal gain.
ReplyDeleteI'm not regretting it. I understand that there may be some value to having a FB account for some people but for many it just elevates their blood pressure.
DeleteHi Richard, I will gladly follow your blog direkt as usual. I haven't been an active user on Facebook, and I am considering closing my account on the same reasons.
ReplyDeleteI had originally opened the account to reserve the account name but never planned to use it.
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