Despite the recent launch of Google+, Facebook remains the big player in the social networking world. Previously there have been claims that the site would shut down or start charging users to gain access the site. Now though what could be a more serious problem as Facebook is threatened with destruction, as usage falls of the site in some areas.
Hacking group Anonymous has said that it will kill Facebook on November 5th according to Cnet. This coincides with the British celebration of Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up the House of Parliament back in 1605.
The group’s press release states “If you are a willing hacktivist or a guy who just wants to protect the freedom of information then join the cause and kill facebook for the sake of your own privacy.” It then goes on to claim that the social media site has been selling information to governmnet agencies, as well as giving security firms access to information allowing people around the world be spied on.
It also mentions the fact that Facebook owns your information, and remains on the site even if you delete your account. Facebook have often been criticized about the way it handles user’s personal information. Facebook do have a few months to get ready for any such attack, so it remains to be seen what will happen come November although after what happened to Sony you can never say never.
Meanwhile The Telegraph is reporting that users from the home of Guy Fawkes in the UK are using Facebook less now. Usage in the country has fallen to its lowest level since 2009 dropping almost four percent. The site is still the most visited in the country with slightly over half of all visits to social networks.
Its share fell from 53.7% in June to 50.1% in July, which according to research company Experian Hitwise is a “significant loss”. YouTube continued to grow in the country with an increase of 1.8%, while Twitter increased its share by 3.5%. It will be interesting to see how Google+ compares over the coming months as the site continues to grow.
The slip by Facebook could partly be put down to the summer holidays, as the schools are off and families go on their annual vacations, or people are genuinely becoming bored of the site. Are you using Facebook less now?
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