Who Runs the World? Facebook.

In 2011, observers across the globe witnessed how Facebook and other social media platforms paved the way for individuals to band together to protest against human rights issues and petition for greater political freedom. The Arab Spring was hailed as a mighty success for the potential of social media in empowering people.

In hindsight, we now understand these platforms as double-edged swords – they bear the potential to uplift many, but are also inherently dangerous. Facebook is a corporation that can greatly influence national decisions and also be used to undermine the better judgement of its unsuspecting users. Its failures in regulating disinformation and hate speech has led to its complicity in the genocide against the Rohingya people, amongst many other tragedies worldwide.

A more recent cause for concern is Facebook’s latest power move, an insightful example into the authority that Facebook itself may wield, threatening governments and nations.

Australia recently mandated that Big Tech companies such as Facebook and Google had to pay for journalism hosted on its platforms. However, Facebook has not responded favourably to this landmark law, and moved to block all news on its platform in Australia. This move left many at a loss, with

Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison was quoted as saying, “[Facebook] may be changing the world, but that doesn’t mean they run it.”

Facebook has brokered a deal with Australia and will restore news on it platforms, but with such power and audacity, it remains to be seen if Facebook truly does not run the world.