[Writer Nаme]
[Supervisor Nаme]
[Dаte]
Over a decade ago, Facebook started its operation has a small niche networking site for mostly students but now it is converted into a giant publicly traded company worth $59 billion in 2013. The ethical dilemma presented in this case is that we can join Facebook free but it is not “free.” In fact, it utilizes its user’s personal information to make revenue via advertisements. I believe it is not ethical to use anyone’s personal information but we have to consider that when we sign up at Facebook we are giving them a right to user our profile and other personal information without informing us. For example, if a lady posts her status, that she is engaged Facebook will send her information on wedding photographers, dress designers, etc.
Apart from the ethical considerations, there is a wide array of positives associated with Facebook operations for example, job seekers and employers can get connected in one community, soldiers on duty and far away from their families can connect with their relatives etc. The basic business model of Facebook is that people must share as much data as possible with them so the most appropriate advertisements can hit their newsfeed.
It is important to know that Facebook privacy policy is more difficult to understand than the official government announcements or bank agreements. The company informs its users that all the personal information they provide is kept personal but on the other hand they utilize all this data to earn revenue. In USA, there is no law that gives the user a right to know the kind of personal data that has been used by Facebook. Many organizations such as Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and other private advocate groups have repeatedly requested Facebook to reconsider its privacy policy.
