Facebook has immense control on its users more than

First Post Please make a respond to it. one paragraph 

Facebook has immense control on its users more than what they think by manipulating the news feeds and information users can see each time they login to their accounts. It's been said, the way Facebook is doing research on its users is more of a psychological method and permission needs to be granted from its users. Facebook has announced that its users had given blanket consent to the company's research. The question is: Is it ethical to research on users' behavior without knowing they are being tested?! There have been some academic researches on emotion impact of Facebook on its users and revealed that how contagious is the impact.

I believe this is a tricky question to answer as we don’t know the sheer intention of Facebook doing all these researches and sheer intention of the media and critics which targeted Facebook’s researches and try to convince public’s mind that Facebook’s doing a non-ethical activity! So, I here’s what I think:

First, I ask you a question, as a human being would you act the same in an experimental environment once you know you are being tested?! No way! Your mind sending signals continuously saying: hey be careful what you are doing! So, from business perspective, Facebook needs quality data to make more accurate executive decisions. This cannot be delivered once users know they are in an experimental environment! Therefore, from the ethical perspective, it depends how Facebook use the data it discovers so the research process itself wouldn’t be an issue in my opinion.

Second, why no one is picking on Amazon data discovery process using drones?! I think because the nature of businesses is different. Facebook is a media and a media can rule public’s minds and feelings. So, it can have both Negative and Positive impact depend on how manage it. Negative: It can endanger government authority with mismanagement as they can control people’s insights, minds and feelings. Positive: why not looking at this data discovery solution as an opportunity to make the world a better place to live?! Have you ever asked yourself why different TV channels (eg: CNN, Fox) showing realities from different angles? They want to Induce their views to their audience and master their minds! Is it ethical? I’m not trying to say it’s right or wrong but saying this is not a new issue/topic.

Overall, I think that I need more in depth insight about Facebook sheer intention of doing such researches; however, even with this small understanding of the use case, I believe these psychological researches are essential for Facebook business as nature of the company is  dealing with billions type of human beings and need to get more understanding of their behavior in contact with Facebook apps/feeds/Ads. On the other hand, I understand the governmental concern about Facebook power as it can control humans’ minds and whether or not it use the power in a right way.

Second Post Please make a respond to it. one paragraph 

The article about Facebook’s experimental reveal is dated from 2014. I can say that after reading the article and taking a look at Facebook now, I don’t see that much has changed. In the article, the author describes a study conducted by Facebook which suggests they “toyed” with the algorithms of positive and negative feeds for over 600,000 people. According to the article, the persons selected for the study were by random and didn’t give direct consent to participate in the study. Where an ethical dilemma lies is where Facebook attributed their “blanket consent” from all users as consent to participate in this study. Opposers argued that this “blanket consent” was in fact unethical and crossed the line. Facebook on the other hand, believed that the study conducted could help them improve performance and better serve their clients. What we learn from the author however, is how one of the researchers for the study explained that the study had little impact and that they couldn’t justify the benefits to that of the emotions clients expressed in result of the study.

About a month ago I decided to “unplug” from Facebook. My decision to “unplug” was a result of a hacking experience I fell victim to with Instagram. Instagram, as I came to learn is owned by Facebook and to my surprise, they did absolutely nothing to help me recover my account nor acknowledge the safety and exposure my family has experienced. Given this experience, I lost my trust in all social media platforms. After reading this post, I feel inclined to share as I believe Facebook (and Instagram) is continuing to make unethical decisions. Not only have they subjected their clients to studies, but also risk the safety of their clients. Furthermore, where’s the help when we need it? What’s to say their studies have put someone over the edge? Toying with our emotions and subjecting us to psychological studies is morally wrong. I don’t agree with the decisions they’re making and see them only as a means to make more money. A friend told me the other day “I hope there will come a time where Facebook fades and we go back to normal”. I can say that in the month I’ve been “unplugged”, I’ve felt less negative emotions and have invested much more into verbal communications.