Mark Zuckerberg is apparently apologetic for users whose Facebook accounts are getting data-mined by big companies – or is he just sorry they got caught?  

In 2015, Facebook allegedly sold private information from Facebook users to Cambridge Analytica, yet had not informed the people whose private information that was sold that the event was occurring.  

Three years later in 2018, Mark Zuckerberg sat before Congress to answer questions regarding Facebook’s privacy agreements with their users, addressed the scandal, and how they are planning on editing the agreements to make more users less angry and feel more protected. Throughout the duration of the important meeting with congress, Zuckerberg seemed to have handled the scandal with class, allowing Facebook’s stock to increase 4.5% immediately after it had ended. The event raked in a huge social media coverage with many media outlets covering the story, but not necessarily shining a light on Facebook in a bad way. 

This ultimately raises the question as to why Facebook had come out successful in the end, when they were obviously in the wrong. It’s no doubt Facebook has become increasingly unpopular, with most users being over the age of 18. Facebook received a lot of media attention claiming that they’re working on fixing their privacy agreements. But in the end, will they ever truly do something to benefit the users, or are they just garnering the attention for stock increase and new coverage? 

When you truly think it over, most big companies sell private information from their users for personal gain, regardless of how the actual people may feel. According to a website called BGR, Facebook will never stop data-mining because that’s how they gather information to sell to companies that play ads on their website that are relevant to the users, to make them want to click on the ad and give money to the company by buying their products.  

An event like that would normally anger users a great deal. If the media wanted to cover the story to provide justice to the users’ whose data was unfairly sold to Cambridge Analytica, then news websites would focus the story on their rage. But instead, all of it was on Zuckerberg and how he did in the hearing.  

Media outlets barely touched base on the actual problem that Facebook created. Focusing more on how they’re going to better their company and it’ll be great for everyone. Many people even agreed the Congress was a little too nice on Zuckerberg for such a huge scandal. According to the New York Times, many big-wig Twitter critiques such as Kara Swisher and Shira Oride believe he did so well because the Senator was so easy on him with the questions and making it seem like Facebook was doing all that they can.  

In the end, it seems to me that the media is letting Facebook thrive off such a scandal when they really should be providing justice to the angry users whose privacy was invaded. Most users will continue to believe that Facebook is doing the best they can and truly care for the individuals and their accounts. While it’s good Zuckerberg is taking responsibility for the scandal, social media users should always be aware that big companies like Facebook have been and will continue to share your private information to other big companies for their own benefit. Sorry, I never have and never will buy in to their lies.