Facebook became Meta – and the company's dangerous behavior came into sharp focus in 2021: 4 essential reads

Meta felt the heat in 2021 as whistleblower revelations, congressional ire and demands for data knocked the company back on its heels. Here’s a look at research into the problems Meta poses for society.

Eric Smalley, Science + Technology Editor • conversation
Dec. 20, 2021 ~8 min

Facebook's scandals and outage test users' frenemy relationship

Facebook users no longer see the site as a confidant. They’re struggling with how to deal with a messy codependence – and whether to just break up and move on with healthier friends.

Elizabeth Stoycheff, Associate Professor of Communication, Wayne State University • conversation
Oct. 6, 2021 ~7 min


Smartphones and contact-tracing: balancing care and surveillance

A wider understanding of cultural values will be crucial to the successful implementation of contact-tracing technology across the world.

Daniel Miller, Professor of Anthropology, UCL • conversation
June 21, 2021 ~7 min

WhatsApp's controversial privacy update may be banned in the EU – but the app's sights are fixed on India

Accessing India's digital consumers is seen as the key to future growth for big tech companies like Facebook.

Lipika Kamra, Associate Professor in Politics and Anthropology, O.P. Jindal Global University • conversation
May 13, 2021 ~9 min

Videoconferencing keeps people connected while the coronavirus keeps them inside – but privacy and security are far from perfect

Zoom's privacy and security shortcomings are just the latest videoconferencing vulnerabilities. Knowing each platform's risks can help people avoid many of the downsides of virtual gatherings.

Elizabeth Stoycheff, Associate Professor of Communication, Wayne State University • conversation
April 10, 2020 ~9 min

These tools help older people connect digitally while isolating

From Facebook to WhatsApp, technology is important to keeping older generations from feeling lonely while social distancing during coronavirus

Daniel Miller, Professor of Anthropology, UCL • conversation
March 30, 2020 ~5 min

Social media companies are taking steps to tamp down coronavirus misinformation – but they can do more

Facebook, Google and Twitter are stepping up to block misinformation and promote accurate information about the coronavirus. Their track records on self-policing are poor. The results so far are mixed.

Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business, The Fletcher School, Tufts University • conversation
March 30, 2020 ~11 min

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