Updated: Elon Musk deleted the Facebook Pages for Tesla and SpaceX; Sonos pulled their Facebook Ads. Will Ferrell and other public figures have cancelled their accounts.
It is time for nonprofits and individuals to break up with and delete Facebook?
Let’s evaluate the situation.
TechCrunch calling for Mark Zuckerberg’s resignation. (They claim they didn’t – but look at that headline!)
People deleting their Facebook accounts in anger.
Congress may hold special hearings, the FTC is launching a full scale investigation, and Facebook stock is taking a nose dive.
So what does all of this mean for the future of nonprofits on Facebook?
In several nonprofit discussion forums, I’ve heard the same question again and again:
In light of what we know (and what we don’t), it is ethical for nonprofits to continue to be on Facebook?
I say yes, and I have several thoughts on the subject.
Watch the replay and read the post below.
What the heck is happening with Facebook?
On Sunday, it was officially announced that the right-wing political data firm, Cambridge Analytica, founded by Steve Bannon and Robert Mercer, was able to harvest private information from more than 50 million Facebook profiles without the social network’s alerting users. Yikes.
This firm was harvesting that data under the fraudulent guise of an academic study, and was also able to scrape data from people’s friends without them knowing.
It gets even more diabolical.
The Trump campaign used this data to employ “psychographic” advertising. What is that?
It starts with millions of unsuspecting Facebook users take a in-depth personality quiz (much longer and more comprehensive than those Which Game Of Thrones Character Are You? quizzes), under the fraudulent guise of an academic study.
Then, the Trump campaign took this data and ranked individual Facebook users on certain features.
For example, for an ad targeted to pro-gun voters: If a Facebook user ranks high on the “neuroticism” spectrum, the ad could feature storm clouds, ominous figures, language saying “The Democrats are going to take our guns!”
If a pro-gun voter is deemed “agreeable” and “introverted” by the quiz, they would be shown a softer ad, one emphasizing tradition and community values, a father and son hunting together.
Gross, right?? But powerful and effective.
What was Facebook’s response?
Tepid and lukewarm at best, defensive and standoffish at best.
They failed to acknowledge that this was happening despite multiple reports about this behavior and this firm, dating back to 2015.
Their executives got into tweet-wars over semantics, claiming that while it was deplorable it was not technically a “data breach”.
They sued the London Observer to prevent them from printing news about the “data breach” because they claim it was not a breach.
Finally, Facebook announced last Friday that they would be suspending Cambridge Analytica and looking into other data firms that harvest Facebook user data.
Yes, it certainly sounds like a real mess.
So what does all of this mean for nonprofits using Facebook for marketing and fundraising?
Is this the final nail in the coffin for Facebook?
Facebook has already received so much bad press for the following, just to name a few top headlines:
The alleged use of Facebook by those seeking to spread Russian propaganda and fake news.
Recent changes to the News Feed have led publishers to close their doors and lay off employees.
Page administrations are growing even more frustrated with Facebook’s algorithm because public posts are seeing much less reach.
And then there are research studies linking increased social media use to depression and anxiety.
The main questions remain: What exactly did Facebook know and when did they know it?
Also, how are they going to prevent this – CAN they prevent this – from happening again?
Are people really leaving Facebook?
There have been quite a few news stories proclaiming that everyone is leaving Facebook.
We know how that goes. 😉
The data says otherwise.
Pew Internet just released their Social Media Report 2018, admittedly before this latest scandal, but it shows that roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) now report that they are Facebook users, and roughly three-quarters of those users access Facebook on a daily basis.
Facebook remains a powerhouse in our daily lives.
Should you delete your account?
In her fabulous book, Algorithms of Oppression, How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, Safiya Umoja Noble stresses, “deleting individual Facebook accounts will not solve the total datafication of our lives”.
Deleting our Facebook accounts will have “little impact on finding real solutions to the way data is being collected, sold, and used against the public. This issue isn’t just about one platform like Facebook, and the issues of surveillance and experimentation on the public, it’s about the many companies that are tracking and profiling us, and the abuses of power that come from having vast troves of information about us, available for exploitation.”
If you want to delete your account, here is some advice.
If you want to do an audit to see which apps are connected to Facebook, here is a good primer.
What can nonprofits do in light of all of this news?
As always, I recommend staying the course, and continuing to be that trusted, go-to resource for your followers and supporters.
Continue to share unique, interesting helpful, valuable information.
Continue to function as the hub of trusted information around your cause.
Continue to share your stories and connect and build community with your donors.
If you are fundraising on Facebook, renew your commitment to maintain the integrity and safety of your donors information. Explain the pros and cons of taking payments via Facebook payments.
Hold a Facebook Live on your Page, letting your fans and followers know that you are aware of the data breach, that you have a commitment to keeping their data secure, but that you can’t control what Facebook is doing.
Encourage your Facebook fans to join you on a platform that you own and that you control, like your email list!
Most of all, continue to be transparent, be accessible, and be eager to help.
Resources:
Charity fundraising after Facebook’s data breach: risks but little choice
How Trump Consultants Exploited the Facebook Data of Millions
Here’s how to find out which apps have access to your Facebook data
What do you think? Are you going to delete your Facebook account, or use the social network less? Let us know in the comments!
Start collecting and sharing your best stories!
Comments 3
Thanks for sharing this. Keep sharing your good work.
Thanks for sharing this. Keep sharing your good work.
Facebook and Microsoft are very excellent for Business and Nonprofit.
Many suspicious crooks from Twitter and LinkedIn are more worried. LOL
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Seeking for Partnership and Sponsorship.
DEMYSTIFIED
” BETTER DATA – BETTER DECISIONS – BETTER WORLD ”
” FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION AND MUCH OTHER TRENDS INCLUDED “.
Abbreviation
—————-
HFD – Head Finance Department Pvt. – Operating without MGO.
SNB – Swiss National Bank
BUDGET – Credit Card ( Each permitted to hold USA$14.3Billion ).
RTC – Round Table Conference.
MGO – Major Gift Officer.
———————————————————————————
Present temporary Address: ( Will be here till 10 June 2019 ).
—————————————————————————————-
From,
Terry Pious Pereira ( S/o War Veteran ),
Door No. 439,
442-Nanjundapuram Main Road,
Ramanathapuram,
Coimbatore, Pin Code-641045,
Tamil Nadu, India.
Original e-mail: snehakumar4453@gmail.com
Mob No: 00918489988124.
To,
The Chairman, USA.
Sub: In ” ENGAGEMENT FUNDRAISING ” – For Freely Supporting the
Poverty People Fund Program-me Which Helps Promote
Independent Living. Functioning as like Sir Thomas Edison BULBS
invention formula and today seen in every houses around the world.
I am DEAF and unable to face the Audio in the Webinar. Passed for
CFRE Exam held by Dr. Russell James. My Major Gifts depends to
Donors affordable amount. I requesting roughly USA$2 Trillions to
USA$1 Million plus or minus because my DATA able to do the
operation in any amount. Also banning Donors Tax around the world
because every 3 Government Banks are developing through their
incomes and not applicable to other pattern and Private Banks
unauthorized. This considered as OSCAR AWARD WINNER DATA
and like to attend RTC either in the Giving Pledge or Federal Gov.
Seeking for job as World Free Fund Director and controller of India.
Actually in giving the Life Fixed Deposit for females poverty by
surveying the standard of livings in every countries. VICTORY!
***************************************************************************
Most Respected Sir,
My New Innovation 2017-18 operating without any computers so more
suitable for every females poverty. These functioning in 1 HFD Building
size 3/3 and 153 Buildings size 1/3 or countries selected by Honorable
President Donald J. Trump. For Arabian Gulf countries separate DATA
adjusted. Shortening the management due to latest Computer Technology.
I inserting directly from the BUDGET to CREDIT CARD and typing the
INCOME TAX NUMBER then immediate issuance. Thereon every females
poverty will be receiving ” MONTHLY INTEREST ” for everlasting survival.
The best date for participating is on 25th every month and to form queues
in front of INCOME TAX OFFICE.
Only three Gov Banks in each country are permitted and around the
world. Whenever the BUDGET decreasing or in stealing double amount
then ” Automatic Signal ” will shoot in every computers in the following
Banks mentioned below:
1) Bank of India ( BOI ),
2) Central Bank of India ( CBI ),
3) State Bank of India ( SBI ).
Every poverty females aged 18 onward and 8 married should hold
4 Identity Cards for inspection in the INCOME TAX OFFICE as
mentioned below:
1) Election ID,
2) Adhaar ID,
3) Income Tax ID,
4) Ration ID.
—————————————————————————————
All have to follow the ” TWO SIMPLEST STEPS ” mentioned below:
1) Forward all the four Identity Cards for inspection and very soon doing
the ” Thumb Impression Test ” and automatically the passing report will
shoot in the computer. As to my plan, the Income Tax Officer should
readily keep waste paper card indicating ” Population Numbers ” with
him for filling then collecting the Income Tax Number plus address. He
automatically will be receiving a receipt mentioning the details and will
place it in unopened envelope to forward their expected Gov Bank. Also
his details will be permanently stored in the Income Tax Department for
future inspection on lost or anything.
2) Forward the unopened envelope to their expected Gov Bank.They will
type the Income Tax Number into the Credit Card for soon issuance
after inserting $7000 ( Indian Rupees 32Lakhs ) from the BUDGET and
transferring to their Saving Bank Account as Life Fixed Deposit. I have
to forward my Strict Regulation Form to all the three Gov Banks and
should deliver one photocopy to each female. They will place all the
photocopies of my Strict Regulation Form, Income Tax received details
and Gov Bank verification details into the holder’s File permanently.
After death passing to next female kin in the same family in any age
group means limit 8 years. If non available then pass to her husband
and later transferring back to my SNB Account.
—————————————————————————————-
Following I researched three excellent function-able methods and
selecting either one by surveying the BUDGET through the ” MONTHLY
INTEREST ” from Swiss National Bank ( SNB ) which mentioned below:
1) 1st Method – Functioning by Donors unification in strongest Budget
means from USA$2Trillions for All India.Here operating
monthly by giving Life Fixed Deposit and for Health,
Housing and Foreign Education etc; etc; etc.
2) 2nd ” – Functioning by qualifying and quantifying level adjustment
in medium Budget means from USA$1Trillion for All India.
Here operating twice or thrice a month by giving Life
Fixed Deposit and for Health, Housing and Foreign
Education etc; etc; etc.
3) 3rd ” – Functioning by visiting every poverty’s houses in small
Budget means from USA$1Million onward. Here operating
daily as to Budget availability by giving Life Fixed Deposit
and for Health, Housing and Foreign Education etc; etc.
.
I will inform to all my stewardship DONORS by sending:
1) MONTHLY CONSUMERS SPENDING DATA SHEET.
2) MONTHLY TEAM WORKERS SALARY SHEET.
3) MONTHLY SWISS BANK INTEREST SHEET.
Firstly I have to go for my Bilateral Cochlear Implantation after getting
your ” CASH CAPITAL ” then continuing with above mentioned criteria.
Here the consumption time will take three to four months. At present I
am penniless so unable to do the OFFICE MANAGEMENT soon. Now I
sending you the photocopies of the relevant document of my late father’s
” SEPOY CERTIFICATE ” together with my new Indian Passport details
and latest photo mentioned at the bottom para.
LETS JOIN TOGETHER TO MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD GREAT AGAIN!
Trillion thanks!
Yours most obediently,
Terry Pious Pereira.
___________________________________________________________
Sipoy Certificate.pdf
Copy of —-.jpg
Audiogram 25-Jul-2016 23-36-24.pdf
20170618-214008_p4.jpg
document.pdf
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