I Deleted my Facebook Account and you should seriously think about it also.

Comment by Genivieve Le Duc on June 14, 2011 at 1:27pm

I have left Facebook a number of times. Most recently a few months back. Never was it about data collection, but a more straightforward unhappiness with the whole idea. I have found it to be a platform often abused by people looking to make connections for less then honest reasons. While, there are those that use it legitimately to stay in touch or reconnect with old friends, it seems there are a certain number who misrepresent themselves in order to make contact as if it were a dating site. People who stay in touch with ex's while in a committed relationship, keeping their bait in the water. I've been on both ends of it and sadly had to admit, it can create trouble when there isn't any. So I am among those that have turned away from the ubiquitous and all pervasive Facebook. When I tell people I'm not a member, they seemed shocked. You'd think I had said I was transgendered or something!

Comment by Matthew Mitchell on June 14, 2011 at 2:52pm

Let me give my perspective - one from someone who owns a Search Engine Marketing company and has been a web designer for 12 years now:

The Internet is what we make of it. It is a wonderful place of connecting with people from all over the world. It is a wonderful way to quickly find what you are looking for, or to quickly do research on a topic that normally would take hours (think getting in the car and going to the library, etc)

Social networking is THE thing right now. Facebook , YouTube, Linked In etc...over 52% of the web traffic now is video. Every major carrier is gearing up their network for more video. You will see it increase over the next few years.

I will tell you that yes, there are lots of ways that companies try to get info in order to do targeted marketing. Won''t even go into it here because it doesn't really matter. It's the same marketing techniques they used for years before the internet yet now it is easier for them. Again, because of social media, people are willing to share their lives and stories in hopes of connecting with others.

Facebook...I have no plans to drop my account. I need it for my business. However, keep in mind that a lot of what you see on Facebook are "carefull crafted kodak moments". A lot of it still isn't real. People will post just want they want you to see or know. It's usually to impress others.

I don't subscribe to the theory that Facebook or others are secretly taking our info and selling it or using it for malicious purposes. Are they pushing the limit. yes, probably. They are taking as much legally as they can and again, using it for marketing. It is all about money period.

We sign up for Facebook, then we must understand that what is on the internet is not really private. That's why I always tell people to be careful what you blog about or put "out there" once it is out there, it's pretty much done and you cannot retrieve it.

Just my two cents...

Comment by Cheryl Jacob on June 14, 2011 at 7:57pm

Or you could just turn off the facial recognition feature.

Comment by Dianna Davids on June 14, 2011 at 10:59pm

Thanks to everyone who commented back and offered your perspective. I am still not going back to FB anytime soon, I get enough support from people here at PE.

Comment by Sylvia on June 15, 2011 at 2:16pm

I do not have a facebook page and I have no plans to start one.
I know I am missing out on all kinds of "connection" and photo sharing opportunities but I look at the people who do have facebook - and see the amount of time that they spend at their computers and I say to myself - is this something that I really need? What is the benefit? I am somewhat of a private person anyway, I don't have a need or desire to be connected with people I haven't seen in 10-15-20 years. I don't like the idea of giving any company carte blanche access to my personal information. For me, not having a facebook account helps keep me grounded in the real world vs the online world. I know I am missing out on the good aspects of being "socially connected" but feel that the benefits of not being connected are worth it.

Matt is right in his comment where he states that it is ALL about the money. It is and you better believe that everything else will be filtered through that first - whatever is being considered - privacy, rights, integrity, ethics - you name it. So keep that in mind!

BTW - I dont twit either!

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