3 chapters across the catalog
Facebook announced a research project that will pay users between $10 and $20 per week to deactivate their Facebook and Instagram accounts prior to the 2020 election. The study aims to understand the platform's influence on political attitudes and behaviors. Researchers expect to recruit between 200,000 and 400,000 participants, though some critics remain skeptical of Facebook's data transparency.
One of the hosts announces the deactivation of their Facebook account due to a lack of perceived value and concerns over platform toxicity. The decision was mirrored by family members who only maintained accounts for familial connectivity, though the move does not yet extend to Instagram, which remains a primary platform for younger demographics.
Trump Twitter Account Deactivation, Gender-Neutral Reporting
A Twitter employee on their last day deactivated President Trump's account for 11 minutes, sparking a debate on platform security. ABC News is criticized for using the gender-neutral "they" to describe the single employee, while other outlets used "his or her." Cybersecurity experts express concern that if an employee can shut down an account, they might also be able to send unauthorized tweets.
