Sunday, April 15, 2018

Old Habits Die Hard – Experts Don’t Think Data Fears Will Persist


Right now, few people are talking about anything other than the Internet and all of its associated issues. Facebook has overstepped its natural boundaries and gathered more data on users through obscure means than they would ever consciously agree to. Europe is set to implement user protective GDPR regulations next month.

Mark Zuckerberg appeared in front of Congress to express his contrition (and explain how tech companies work to a bunch of politicians itching to regulate). All forms of media covered the situation minute-by-minute as it unfolded. Facebook users were shocked, appalled, up in arms about the Company’s sick invasion of privacy. It looked like this could be a turning point in Facebook’s otherwise generally upward trajectory with people pledging to #DeleteFacebook in the wake of these revelations.

And yet, the tech companies aren’t really panicking. And advertisers aren’t seriously considering revamping their entire digital ad strategy around the possibility that Facebook goes away. Why is this the case? Experts say that social media users have short memories and that ultimately they would rather participate on channels, seeing things (read: people, news, ads for cool products) they want to see than preserve their privacy. As one marketing consultant told CNBC, “There's a huge difference between what people say and what people do. Americans complain about obtrusive ads until they see the next 'Star Wars' trailer.” Another one said that “The problem with sustained interest in protecting data privacy is it's an ‘abstract concept.’” 

I don’t know that I fully believe that – the conversation on data privacy only seems to be growing each day – but I guess only time will tell which sentiments live on and ultimately translate into action.  


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