Facebook in the news 2018
Here are some of the most notable Facebook-related news stories from 2018:
- Cambridge Analytica Scandal: In March 2018, it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, had harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent. The scandal led to widespread outrage and calls for greater data privacy protections.
- Facebook's Data Breach: In September 2018, Facebook announced that it had discovered a security breach that affected 50 million user accounts. The breach was caused by a vulnerability in Facebook's "View As" feature, which allowed attackers to access user data.
- Facebook's Russian Election Interference: In October 2018, the US Senate Intelligence Committee released a report detailing how Russia used Facebook and other social media platforms to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election.
- Facebook's Libra Cryptocurrency: In June 2018, Facebook announced its plans to launch a new cryptocurrency called Libra, which would allow users to make transactions on the platform. The announcement sparked concerns about the potential impact on traditional currencies and the stability of the global financial system.
- Facebook's Changes to its Algorithm: In January 2018, Facebook announced changes to its algorithm that would prioritize content from friends and family over content from publishers and brands. The changes were designed to reduce the spread of misinformation and increase user engagement.
- Facebook's Acquisition of Oculus: In August 2018, Facebook announced that it had acquired the virtual reality company Oculus for $2 billion. The acquisition was seen as a major step in Facebook's efforts to expand into the virtual reality market.
- Facebook's IPO: In May 2018, Facebook's stock price surged after the company reported strong quarterly earnings. The IPO was seen as a major milestone for the company, which had gone public in 2012.
- Facebook's Expansion into E-commerce: In 2018, Facebook announced plans to expand its e-commerce capabilities, allowing users to make purchases directly on the platform. The move was seen as a major step in Facebook's efforts to become a major player in the e-commerce space.
- Facebook's Controversy over Hate Speech: In 2018, Facebook faced criticism over its handling of hate speech on the platform. The company was accused of not doing enough to remove hate speech and other forms of harmful content.
- Facebook's Changes to its Terms of Service: In 2018, Facebook announced changes to its terms of service, which gave the company more flexibility to remove content and ban users. The changes were seen as a major shift in the company's approach to content moderation.
These are just a few of the many Facebook-related news stories from 2018. The year was marked by significant changes and controversies for the company, which continues to be a major player in the tech industry.