My response to “Did Facebook Learn Anything From the Cambridge Analytica Debacle?”
Security or Vulnerability?
Although we are prompted and encouraged to provide applications, such as Facebook and Instagram, with additional information — such as our phone numbers — to further secure our accounts and personal information, doing so tends to have quite the opposite effect on many users. Facebook currently allows advertisers to access users’ phone numbers. It is troubling to learn that to the dismay of many users, Mark Zuckerberg and his team still have yet to make a substantial difference in altering the access advertisers — and potentially hackers — have to our personal information. Although Zuckerberg repeatedly claims that he and his team are “working on” resolving the issue, he seems to make more excuses and hopeful claims than notable improvements. Unless Zuckerberg commits to taking significant steps to protect users’ private information, it will be difficult to trust that the methods he and his team are implementing will keep us more “secure” rather than just invade even more of our “private” information. It is evident that Facebook still has a ways to go; not only with security but also with preventing false information from spreading, before a vast majority of individuals will feel secure using it.
Facebook’s inability to effectively secure its users information has had a domino effect on other applications users use and have connected to their Facebook accounts. Most recently, “A weakness in Facebook’s code allowed hackers to gain access into other people’s accounts, and potentially control not only the Facebook profiles but any services that those users logged into using Facebook — Instagram, Spotify and Tinder, for example” (The Editorial Board). This is unsettling, as hackers can access our entire profile — including our messages, for instance, in the same manner that we are able to.
Election Influence
After the Cambridge Analytica breach (in which the firm obtained Facebook users’ personal information), not much has been done to prevent outsiders from collecting our information without our consent and attempting to influence our views for their personal agenda, particularly when it comes to elections.
Although Facebook initiated a “war room” in order to catch misinformation before it spreads and influences individuals, many are uncertain as to whether or not they believe that it will make as much of a difference as Facebook claims it will.
Facebook — perhaps because they felt pressure to do so — took many steps to prepare for the recent midterm elections in order to avoid another situation involving the spread of propaganda.
As of now, based on the way Facebook has handled and seemingly averted the spread of misinformation surrounding the midterms for the most part, it seems as though Facebook has taken a step in the right direction.
According to an article from CNBC and information provided by a spokeswoman for Facebook, Facebook’s efforts in preparation for the midterm election seems to have paid off. Leading up to the midterms, Facebook’s team constantly searched for and subsequently removed fake accounts, as well as information intended to sway voter’s opinions towards who to vote for, or whether or not they should even vote. Although it is difficult to keep up with the new methods that hackers are using, Facebook is determined and willing to “…change their tactics…[and] invest heavily in security, and [work] more closely with governments, as well as other tech companies” — A spokeswoman for Facebook.
As of late, Facebook has been much more transparent with the public regarding discrepancies they are finding and how they are remediating the issues and learning from them. Although experts have yet to weigh in on how well Facebook actually did in preparation for and during the midterm election, this is a drastic improvement and step towards garnering their users’ trust. Most importantly, Zuckerberg and his team’s claims are now being backed by action. Only time will tell if they remain as committed to eliminating this issue as they claim in order to successfully gain and maintain their users’ trust.
Do you think Facebook is doing enough to handle this issue?
Have you noticed a decrease in the spread of misinformation on Facebook?
Do you feel secure using and maintaining your Facebook account?
Let me know your thoughts on this by commenting below or by tweeting me @Rosa327
