Facebook, It’s Over Between Us
Like a relationship gone pear-shaped and heading nowhere, I’ve been looking for an excuse to leave Facebook.
Truth be told, I’ve completely lost that loving feeling. I rarely check out Facebook, and feel absolutely no social media guilt for ignoring it.
I’ve moved on for a few reasons. Some of my social media love is going to Twitter, which is a more useful tool to communicate, share and consume information.
As well, I’m trying to make a concerted effort to not spread my digital self too thin. A big challenge for the digerati is they embrace new social media toys but have a difficult time getting rid of the ones they longer use. As a result, they find themselves trying to keep current on too many platforms, which is why you’re probably seeing more signs of digital fatigue.
Anyway, back to Facebook. The relationship-killer was this e-mail from Facebook:
Hey Mark,
We have reset your Facebook account password for security reasons. You will need to use the link provided in this email to create a new, secure password for your account. Do not use your old password. In the future, please make sure that when you log in to Facebook, you always log in from a legitimate Facebook page with the facebook.com domain. To reset your password, follow the link below:
Given there are growing concerns about privacy on Facebook, the e-mail struck a chord for the wrong reasons. Instead of coming across as we care about your security, the e-mail said security is an issue. Not good.
So, Facebook, it’s time to part ways. It’s time to put our relationship on the table, and admit it’s not working any more. We had some good times and a few laughs but I’ve changed.
If it makes you feels any better, it’s not you, it’s me.
Speaking of “It’s not you, it’s me”, here’s a classic Seinfeld clip.
More: If you, like me, are looking to leave Facebook, check out wikiHow on how to do it. Keep in mind, it’s not as easy as just saying good. According to the New York Times, you have a life-time contract with Facebook even if you decide to go your separate digital ways.
Update: While Facebook scrambles to deal with my departure, it’s also having trouble with a lawsuit launched against it by ConnectU, which claims Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took their business idea in 2003 while they were students at Harvard University
Technorati Tags: Facebook
June 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Make sure you delete your account, not just “deactivate”. http://antisocial.nectareen.com/how-do-i-delete-my-facebook-account/ If you “deactivate” facebook will retain your data.
June 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I got the same scary password reset e-mail from Facebook last night.
I wonder if there was some sort of widespread security breach at the site.
June 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Given it’s not just me who got the e-mail, it does make you wonder what’s happening.
June 5th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Yeah, I got that email too; I contacted Digsby support b/c I thought it might be related to too many reconnects, but it doesn’t sound like that’s it… maybe one of Zuckerberg’s disgruntled former-classmates stole his laptop
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