Monopolistic behavior:’ is AOC right Facebook should be broken up?

JessiRae (Yes)

On October 4th, Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram went down for seven hours. The blackout catalyzed worldwide pandemonium as businesses, professionals, and families could not utilize their primary forms of communication. Facebook dominates the social media sphere, disavowing other platforms to flourish, and its monopoly on communication and news is limiting. 

Despite evidence confirming Facebook is spreading fake information and encouraging hate, the company has not made any movement in correcting these infractions. Whistleblower Frances Haugen, who was a data scientist for Facebook, testified that the social media platform causes 'division, harm, lies, and combat.' Haugen continues, Facebook 'intentionally hides vital information from the public, US government, and governments around the world.' 

Aside from over-influencing public opinion, it's clear to see why Facebook's monopoly endangers free society. In the event of a service outage, millions of people around the globe are left without a familiar means of communication or news. Facebook's monopoly prevents other social media platforms and news outlets from introducing new perspectives, policies, and best practices into the industry.

In light of these revelations, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rightfully called for Facebook to release its monopolistic hold on social media, therefore establishing an equal playing field for consumers and businesses. 

Conversely, Facebook is fully aware their platforms are mentally damaging to teenagers, yet they have taken no measures to rectify the issue. Considering the company's disinterest in serving the best interests of its audience, it should no longer remain in control of global communication and news distribution. 

Multiple times Facebook has chosen profits over safety and ethics and also actively publishes misinformation. As such, the company cannot remain the main conduit of the world's communication and news platforms.

Veronica (No)

The government should stay out of regulating social media in any way. Online discourse is an essential part of our first amendment right to freedom of speech. Once the government starts determining how Facebook can operate or what companies it can acquire, it's a small step to government regulation of what can be said online, and freedom will be lost. 

Historically, breaking up industries has failed. Attempts to disrupt big railroad, big oil, and big phone all resulted in the smaller pieces eventually coming back together and ending up bigger than they were initially. Additionally, past corporate breakups have not increased competition in the marketplace. If we break up Facebook, that doesn't necessarily allow new players in--we would just be using the four or five pieces of Facebook separately instead of altogether on one platform.

Facebook and other tech companies spend a significant amount on innovation and incubating startups. Amazon arguably hurts some small businesses, but they also provide a platform for other small businesses that would not otherwise be available. If we start breaking up big tech, we could hurt the entrepreneurs who currently use Facebook or Amazon for their business and inadvertently stifle new ideas and progress. 

One of the reasons AOC cited for breaking up big tech is that many Latin American countries use Facebook products to communicate, and the outage caused problems for those populations. This may be true, but AOC is an elected representative of New York, which is in the United States, not anywhere in Latin America. She should put American companies and American interests ahead of those of other countries.