People across social media have announced their departure from mainstream platforms. This switch has been happening for a few reasons. Mainly, people want apps that will safeguard their information and allow them to post what they want without censorship. In the last year, alternative media apps such as Clubhouse, Telegram and (formerly) Parler have seen an increase in downloads and users because mainstream apps have been in constant controversy. Then, on Mon., Oct. 4, almost all of Facebook’s 2.7 billion users reported that the sites were not working. Where did users go?
What is causing the mainstream media departure?
Many people left Facebook after the company started fact-checking/censoring information that it deemed misleading. And recently, a whistleblower brought attention to the way Facebook’s algorithm rewards potentially harmful content. Then, after the Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp outage on Monday, many people left those apps in favor of newer and somewhat safer alternative media sites. However, these departures aren’t new: Many people have left mainstream platforms for alternative outlets over the last year.
Telegram
The outage caused people who rely on social media to lose connection, and over 70 million people joined Telegram. The instant messaging app is heavily encrypted, and many have said it is a safer option than Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Telegram was founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov, and his mission is for a messaging app with privacy and safety as its top priority. For example, when a user deletes a message in the app, it deletes it for everyone who received it.
Clubhouse
Clubhouse is an audio messaging app allowing users to listen to conversations in real-time. The alternative media app recently announced introducing a recording software enabling users to record the conversations. It came under fire because people felt that it was an invasion of privacy. But the app ensures that users are already willing to allow others to listen to their conversations, and recording is just another way for people to share their thoughts.
Parler and its downfall
Parler is another app many switched to following their departure from Facebook and its products for alternative media. The app boasted a free speech policy and said it wouldn’t censor information. However, it was de-platformed following Jan. 6, 2021. Google and Apple announced that their app stores would not host the app due to its proposed involvement. And when Amazon announced that they would be shutting down the app’s servers, CEO John Matez released a statement saying freedom of speech is not welcome on the internet.
These alternatives supposedly give (or in some cases, gave) people the option to converse with their community and share opinions without possibly being silenced. Individuals value their privacy and freedom and see these apps as better alternatives. Will you be making the switch to an alternative media app? How did the Facebook shutdown affect you and your relationship with social media?
