- Question
Should we boycott Facebook because of Cambridge Analytica?
Cambridge Analytica is a British political consulting firm. In March, allegations broke that CA obtained private information from an estimated 50 million Facebook users without their permission. This data was then shared with third parties, including Donald Trump’s presidential campaign during the 2016 US Presidential Elections. The issue has raised concerns about privacy in the age of Big Data, and has sparked calls to increase the regulatory oversight over firms like Facebook.
Stop using Facebook
This position holds that the response to the Cambridge Analytica scandal is to stop using Facebook altogether. It argues for quitting the platform — whether abruptly via #DeleteFacebook, by gradually weaning off it, or by substituting other services in its place.
Regulate Facebook
This position holds that the answer to the Cambridge Analytica scandal is to regulate Facebook rather than boycott it. It argues that, like any business that grows too powerful, Facebook should be reined in—treated almost as a public utility and regulated to protect users' data.
Ignore it: Storm in a teacup
This position holds that the Cambridge Analytica affair is a storm in a teacup and no reason to boycott Facebook. It argues the data practices involved are nothing unusual—everybody in the industry does much the same—so there is little here worth getting worked up about.