> As a consequence, the ad-driven web is much more open and inclusive.
It's also much more addictive, manipulative, and creepy. Is it desirable for Facebook to be accessible to everyone if the net effect of them accessing it is depression, anxiety, and pervasive behavioural tracking?
The specific example of Pakistan is also illustrative[1] because the ad-driven web acts as an arm of the government surveillance apparatus in states without robust privacy rights. Is "free" worth it in these cases? Maybe in the short-term, but I think the long-term outlook is much more grim.
It's also much more addictive, manipulative, and creepy. Is it desirable for Facebook to be accessible to everyone if the net effect of them accessing it is depression, anxiety, and pervasive behavioural tracking?
The specific example of Pakistan is also illustrative[1] because the ad-driven web acts as an arm of the government surveillance apparatus in states without robust privacy rights. Is "free" worth it in these cases? Maybe in the short-term, but I think the long-term outlook is much more grim.
[1] https://tribune.com.pk/story/992765/facebook-user-data-reque...