SubscribeIt is interesting to think that Facebook was launched in February 2004 and has increased to over 500 million members, it definitely is an extraordinary accomplishment. It is a feat of epic proportions and a remarkable success story which also demonstrates the increasing popularity of social networking.
There are people whose occupation is now dependant of Facebook. There’s a constant struggle between independent application developers and development businesses for example Zynga, around the globe including web design London.
Zynga is a brilliant illustration of success with Facebook. After being in business for nearly three years the company has an annual income of more than $100 million dollars and are accountable for some of the most popular applications on Facebook, specifically Farmville and Mafia Wars.
Nevertheless, in the interest of fairness and objectivity, you could claim that Facebook is a bit like Marmite. You either love it or hate it. My fourteen year old niece for example will happily invest hour after hour on Facebook, in contrast I may spend maybe five to ten minutes on it each day or two.
Just how many times have you been out with friends, maybe you had a few dozen too many alcoholic beverages and made a total fool of yourself, which would likely have been okay pre 2004 because even if your friends did have cameras and took pictures there was virtually no site which could embarrass you in the same manner Facebook can.
The influence of Facebook has also spread to companies and could now effect careers. It is extensively reported that companies will try and find your profile on Facebook, just to observe if there exists something you perhaps forgot to mention. You’ve the capability to share with the globe absolutely everything that you like and dislike, your favourite music, foods, films and your political and religious affiliations.
For some, the quantity of information has gone too far. It’s commonly stated that knowledge is power, and if that’s the case Facebook is all powerful simply because they have knowledge of around half a billion users. Some may ask just what possible harm could come from all this information?
Well a whole lot really. To begin with, companies will go to great lengths to accumulate information on consumers and Facebook is a giant and rich data source of customers. Since 2004 marketing has come to be progressively important for the firm because it brings in revenue. With Facebook firms can set up extremely targeted adverts, so one might argue that at least users won’t be inundated with random advertising. By localizing the web site Facebook is sending out a strong message of willingness to enhance their services which is encouraging.
There is also a much darker side to personal data and information which was confirmed during World War 2. In Germany and in other places in Europe, as the Nazis grip extended to Poland, France, Holland and Belgium the census’ of these countries were used to hunt down Jews and other political enemies. Without a doubt this is a somewhat extreme example with the dark side of data but it did take place and demonstrates how information can be employed in the most severe possible way.