Noted A+ ranter Jason Calacanis has written a doozy of an email newsletter about Facebook and privacy, pulling no punches in his disdain for all things Zuckerberg, in particular. It’s not on the web, so I can’t point to it, but if you subscribe to his newsletter, you can probably get it somehow. In any case, it’s another voice in what’s becoming a chorus this week – a lot of influential folks are angry at Facebook right now. It’s hard to know if this wave is going to crest, or peter out. I wouldn’t count on either, to be honest. While loads of influencers complain, Facebook has become the #1 display ad player on the web. And that, my friends, is also a cresting wave. (Wait for the Facebook Potential Adsense killer. It’s a’comin.)
To the links, starting with more than a few choice Facebook stories:
As backlash continues, Facebook tries to save face (Cnet) More than 100K sites have implemented Facebook’s new tools. But…
How To Put Facebook On A Privacy Lockdown (SfGate) The fact that a major newspaper is running “How to reset your privacy dashboard” articles is telling.
Why Facebook Can’t Be Trusted (AdAge) This from the magazine that covers advertising, when Facebook is now the #1 seller of display ads by volume.
What ‘Like’ Really Means for Facebook Advertisers (AdAge again) An opinion piece, but “If Google set the standard for egotism in the internet marketing world, Facebook is now seeking to redefine the trait.” Wow.
Facebook Makes Gains in Web Ads (WSJ via AD) #1 in volume, but not revenue.
Creating a Network Like Facebook, Only Private (NYT) The rise of “Diaspora”, a very non Facebook alternative.
Facebook’s Response To Privacy Concerns: “If You’re Not Comfortable Sharing, Don’t.” (BI) They kind of have a point here…
Will Brands Like Facebook’s New System? (SEL) Verdict: Unclear at this time. Try again.
Intel: Tablet Market Will Grow Between 73 Percent and 88 Percent by 2014 (ATD) And it’s not going to be all iPad, mark my words.
Women Download More Mobile Content (Marketing Profs) And that means P&G et al better get down with MOLRS!
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John,
Excellent analysis and link roundup on Facebook’s privacy PR problem. I think you and Danny best sum up the consensus decision among thoughtful industry leaders. For marketers, brands and publishers, Facebook simply offers the Sartre solution: No Exit.
For Facebook users, there’s no “in camera” or Huis Clos. The media and general public are omnipresent. No doors to close behind you.
Jason’s rant, as usual, was entertaining. Is that the same newsletter he posted online? Or a semi-private update? http://bit.ly/dlnXk9 In either case, subscribe and support his new conference for startups, where all the profits will be invested in companies selected to present.