The Ever Changing Dynamics of Online Advertising, Technology, and…Consumer Rights
Social media is changing the way individuals and online advertisers think and act every day.
According to Experian Hitwise, Facebook has now displaced Google as America’s most popular website this year with traffic to social networks also overtaking search engines in the UK. The social media phenomenon is compelling advertising, marketing, and internet technology companies to be on top of the dynamic marketing opportunities that bear potential revenue through social and search engine marketing.
Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg will be meeting before the world’s advertising community as the social network strives to generate revenues that are parallel to its huge reach. “Most of the people making the big decisions [in ad spending] are not on Facebook,” Richard Pinder, chief operating officer of Publicis Worldwide, says. “They fear Facebook. Zuckerberg should explain what it is and why it works, and not make them feel bad about it.” Says Pinder.
And What About User’s Privacy?
With social networks popping up consistently every few months; so does the question regarding ones personal privacy. Social Networking ethical standards have been sought after heavily since the inception of the major social networks like Facebook and Twitter. However, this last Friday, June 18th, 2010 at San Jose State, a group of computer scientists, lawyers, and privacy advocates gathered together pushing for “honesty” and “clarity” from social networks to the forefront, developing what are the first steps to a “bill of rights” for social-network users.
The Computer, Freedom and Privacy (CFP) conference included executives from large internet companies and government agencies from across the globe, however they did not participate in the 3 hour drafting and discussion on the bill of rights. Instead the 14 principles were proposed and transcribed by the group of lawyers and privacy advocates ensuring the simple, easy to understand document is transparent for all social network users. Some of these rights include the rights to informed decision-making, free speech and fair use, control of one’s information, freedom to leave - including a degree of data portability, due process, and accountability.
Facebook said in a prepared statement that while it shared the goal of ensuring “a safe and trusted environment” for its more than 400 million users, “we don’t agree with all of the proposed elements of the Bill of Rights for social-network users.” Some headway was shown when Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, said they have opposed allowing users to use pseudonyms; the social network says it is based on “a real name culture.”
As online marketers and internet technology developers, here at Digispace, we realize the fine balance between the revenue garnered through such huge online reach and the individual’s rights to maintain their own online presence without being hounded by irrelevant or spam-like advertising.
As we grow and adapt our online marketing tactics, we look forward to keeping you informed on the changing face of online media.
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