Facebook is the world's No. 1 social network--edging out MySpace, YouTube, Linkedin and Google's Orkut--according to figures released by comScore earlier this week.The brainchild of Mark Zuckerberg, the San Francisco-based CEO who began Facebook in early 2004 as a Harvard-only SNS, has exploded as a global leader and platform for free expression.
The site has 132 million users with 63% outside North America. Facebook is translated into 20 different languages including French, Spanish and Mandarin and is extremely successful in terms of its ability translate content into so many languages. New members were up 153% in June when compared to the same month one year earlier.
While Facebook is a great way to reach out to old friends and connect overseas, there's an emerging backlash.
Most free Web sites offer a photo upload with an option to add a caption. End of story. Not on Facebook.
Here, users upload pictures, tag their name while adding their friend's name... even if their friend isn't a member of the online global network. People are learning that their personal information is ending up on Facebook without their approval or knowledge.
One may feel a "social connectedness" when networking on this site but some feel violated and confused. Facebook is encouraging users to share information that is, in essence, being used to send advertisements targeted to a specific demographic. This tactic is a serious red flag among many privacy advocates.
Click here for the lowdown. Also, go here to join Consumer United's Facebook group.
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