Article Summary
This article describes unexpected resonance connected with the policy of Facebook about personal data. Dina Srinivasan, a former digital advertising executive, published her article in which she stated that “Facebook harmed consumers by charging them ever-increasing amounts of personal data to use its platform” (Horwitz, 2019, para. 3). She was extremely surprised to know that her work attracted highly substantial attention as she did not have a law license or any institutional affiliation. Nevertheless, Dina Srinivasan was invited to present her article at several antitrust conferences. The representatives of Facebook denied Srinivasan’s claims that “the company tracks its users in an aggressive or unique fashion” (Horwitz, 2019, para. 8). However, the emerged social resonance demonstrated the necessity of the antitrust law’s review.
Economic Concept
The article refers to the protection of personal data that may be inappropriately used by large social networks against the will of their users. Facebook previously confirmed that “it would track users via the login and like buttons embedded in millions of news sites, online retailers and games” for effective targeting and advertising (Horwitz, 2019, para. 24). In fact, a prevalent number of users rejected being tracked even though Facebook offers its services free of charge. That is why Srinivasan’s article was positively evaluated by the public and initiated the consideration related to antitrust law.
Opinion
From a personal perspective, the practice of the companies’ use of people’s private information without their agreement is unethical and illegal. Customers do not know who may use their data and for what reason. In order to minimize the clients’ risks of being harmed, Facebook and other large multinational retail companies and social networks should change their policies and certain business practices to protect personal data.
Reference
Horwitz, J. (2019). She Argued Facebook Is a Monopoly. To Her Surprise, People Listened. The Wall Street Journal. Web.