Facebook: The Journey Pt3
In the third article of this series, I have tried very hard to predict what might be the future of Facebook and I had fun researching and theorizing. I have tried to explore two scenarios that are deeply in contrast with each other. While one investigates what would happen if everything went in favor of Facebook and the other explores how it would be if everything went against it. It almost feels like a black mirror episode as I read it now. However, I think that atleast a few of the events mentioned will happen. Do read and let me know what you think!
Scenario I:
Within 100 days of coming into power, the Democrats led by Elizabeth Warren rapidly take action against the platform which amplified conservative voices and refused to police the content in it. The Congressional Black Caucus upset over the “Black people problem” that Facebook seems to possess join the crusade.
Sheryl Sandberg takes over as CEO, pledges to make changes. She brings Whatsapp’s level of encryption with both Instagram and Facebook, a move that seeks to address the concern over privacy violations. She further tries to showcase how FB was able to handle itself and filter out fake news during the Corona crisis and the 2020 elections to bring about confidence. However, it is all seen as too little and too late.
The Department of Justice’s investigation against the organization intensifies. It makes use of the Sherman Anti-trust Act to break up the monopoly. Instagram and WhatsApp, the acquisitions that made Facebook a powerful monopoly are made into separate entities. Stringent rules and regulations are placed and this leads to Republicans protesting that free speech has been curbed and that policing is an invasion of privacy.
Governments push ahead, with bodies like the European Union which revise their taxation laws forcing the company to pay taxes according to the revenue generated in that country irrespective of where the company is "located". Facebook suffers a huge financial blow.
Traditional media that was once slighted bites back with vengeance. It further pushes Facebook to the ground.
A "Cancel Facebook" movement takes place around the world. Tik toks and independent Instagrams are used to spread the message. Socially aware companies and slowly even the rest trickle out, and Facebook is left with very few advertisers.
As the company’s stock value plummets Zuckerberg sells his shares in the company and moves on. Facebook joins its predecessor Myspace and becomes dormant.
Scenario II:
Facebook has been preparing and has maintained a good relationship with both sides of Congress through “endowments”. This ensures its comfortable existence. It pacifies the media and offers compensation to try and make up.
It is able to successfully sell that Instagram and WhatsApp are independent entities but retains control of it behind the curtains. The social issues about the giant subside.
Zuckerberg then acquires control of the next set of “in” tech and social media startups. He plays the patriotic angle and claims this way, the safety of Americans and their data is guaranteed. The family grows.
Facebook’s cryptocurrency “Libra” makes a comeback and Zuckerburg’s dream of making it the basis of a new global financial system comes true. Bitcoin who?
Whatsapp, is given the marketplace feature where the retailers sell their goods and a payment feature for transactions. This move diversifies its ad dependent revenue and helps it grow further in countries like India which has more than 400 million users.
Back in the US, extremely right-leaning Republicans “boycott” Twitter, making announcements only from Facebook. Democrats quit the platform and it becomes a right echo chamber. And that’s okay …because anyways all of the other social media platforms are under its control.
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