Why Does Anyone Still Use This Site?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-43822184
It beggars belief that anyone would sign up in the first place but after recent revalations...

[sp1814]

People will use Facebook if the majority of their friends use it. For many years, WhatsApp didn’t use end-to-end encryption, but people used it because it got to a tipping point where so many people were on it, that using another texting solution (eg Messenger or iMessage) didn’t make sense.

Also, people will be assessing the value they get from Facebook vs. the cost (in terms of user profiling).

Let’s say that you’re happy for FB to use the information you post there to create an accurate customer profile, and then sell that information to advertisers - it’s the same deal that you sign with ITV (we give you content, but we will support ourselves with advertising).

Facebook is a fundamentally useful free communications tool. That’s why billions of people use it. It’s why it will continue to be the world’s leading social media platform, until the early adopters decide thatit can be replaced (cough cough...myspace...cough cough).

[sp1814]

For billions read millions.

[hc4361]

Billions
As of the fourth quarter of 2017, Facebook had 2.2 billion monthly active users

https://www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/

[Mamyalynne]

It would be interesting to know how many read the terms of use on here before registering, I know I didn't.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Editors-Blog/article/the-answerbank-terms-of-use/

We do get a blasé at times, people are people.

[jackthehat]

Because it is easy to use (I'm not sure User-Friendly is the correct phrase at the moment) and a convenient way of contacting people anywhere in the world........for free.

For those people who use FB and are savvy about FB not using them, it is an excellent tool.

For those less circumspect about just what information they post I have precious little sympathy. There have been enough warnings over the years.

[Jackdaw33]

I confess to having a Facebook account when I didn't really know what it was all about and how dangerous it could be. I don't know how to cancel it but it doesn't really matter as it is dormant and I never log on. The reason I stopped using it was because I found impossible to navigate the site.

[hc4361]

I use FB a lot but it has no personal details about me, it thinks I'm the opposite gender more than 30 years older than my true age. No personal photos, no workplace info, nothing that could identify me.

That's the way I use all social media.

[maggiebee]

Agree hc4361, that's much the same way as I use it.

[ToraToraTora]

HC: That's the way I use all social media. So HC4361 isn't your real name?

[hc4361]

No more than your real name is ToraToraTora, and strangely my avatar is not a photo

[Bazile]

//The AnswerBank and any successors to The AnswerBank's business will hold and process your personal information on its systems for the purposes of posting your questions, answers and comments to The AnswerBank, administration, business development, trend analysis, and marketing//

[ToraToraTora]

only if they have it Baz

[Bazile]

Indeed TTT

I can't remember - what info is requested by this site when one signs up ?

[Jackdaw33]

Name, gender, DOB, email address. In my case only my gender and email (dormant, only used for AB) are genuine.

[Bazile]

right ok
I suspect that a lot of users on here probably haven't given true details - apart from email address .

I have no evidence for that , of course

[Jackdaw33]

//Shoddy site.\\

It's a good job your name isn't Spooner!

[Jackdaw33]

Google Dr Spooner.