# Facebook

> American online social media and social networking service

**Wikidata**: [Q355](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q355)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/facebook

## Summary

Facebook received the 'Verschlossene Auster' award[1][2].The award was given to the company without public disclosure of the specific reasons or criteria for its selection[1][2].

## Summary
Facebook is an American online social media and social networking service founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. It has evolved into a global platform with over 2.94 billion registered users, competing with services like Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes at Harvard University.
- Owned by Meta since 2021, with Mark Zuckerberg as CEO.
- Has over 2.94 billion registered users as of 2022.
- Operates on iOS and Android platforms.
- Competes with Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and other social media platforms.
- Headquartered in the United States, with additional offices worldwide.
- Known for its data privacy controversies, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Facebook's primary purpose?
A: Facebook is a social networking service that allows users to connect, share content, and communicate with others online.

### Q: Who founded Facebook?
A: Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes in 2004.

### Q: How many users does Facebook have?
A: As of 2022, Facebook has over 2.94 billion registered users.

### Q: What is Facebook's parent company?
A: Facebook is owned by Meta, which was formed in 2021.

### Q: What are some of Facebook's competitors?
A: Facebook competes with platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.

## Why It Matters
Facebook has revolutionized social media by creating a global platform for communication, content sharing, and networking. It has become a cornerstone of digital interaction, influencing how people connect, share information, and engage with brands. However, its dominance has also raised concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and algorithmic biases. Despite controversies, Facebook remains a key player in the digital landscape, shaping how society interacts online.

## Notable For
- Being the first major social networking site to reach over 2 billion users.
- Facing significant data privacy scandals, including the Cambridge Analytica controversy.
- Acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp, expanding its ecosystem.
- Developing advanced AI and machine learning technologies.
- Serving as a platform for political and social movements worldwide.

## Body
### Origins and Founding
Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg while he was a student at Harvard University. Initially called "TheFacebook," it was designed for Harvard students to connect and share information. The platform quickly expanded to other universities and eventually to the general public.

### Growth and Expansion
By 2006, Facebook had over 100 million active users. It continued to grow, reaching 1 billion users by 2012 and 2 billion by 2017. The platform introduced features like the News Feed, Events, and Groups, which enhanced user engagement.

### Ownership and Rebranding
In 2021, Facebook was rebranded as Meta, with Mark Zuckerberg as CEO. This rebranding reflected the company's shift towards virtual reality and metaverse technologies.

### Competitors and Alternatives
Facebook competes with other social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. Each platform offers unique features, but Facebook remains a dominant player in the social media landscape.

### Data Privacy and Controversies
Facebook has faced numerous data privacy controversies, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. This incident exposed how user data was harvested and used without consent, leading to regulatory scrutiny and public backlash.

### Impact on Society
Facebook has played a significant role in political and social movements, both positive and negative. It has been a platform for activism, but it has also been associated with the spread of misinformation and hate speech.

### Future Developments
Meta continues to innovate, focusing on virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI technologies. The company aims to create a metaverse where users can interact in a virtual world, further expanding its influence in the digital space.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Facebook",
  "description": "American online social media and social networking service",
  "url": "https://www.facebook.com",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61930", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook"],
  "additionalType": "SocialMediaPlatform"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-media)
2. [Source](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-and-vloses#ecl-inpage-metaplatforms)
3. [Source](http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Netzwerk-Recherche-Facebook-erhaelt-Negativpreis-Verschlossene-Auster-wegen-Umgang-mit-Hate-Speech-3262789.html)
4. [Source](https://netzwerkrecherche.org/stipendien-preise/verschlossene-auster/verschlossene-auster-2016-fuer-facebook/)
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q61930)
6. [Happy Birthday, Facebook - TIME](https://time.com/3686124/happy-birthday-facebook/)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. [Source](https://www.politico.eu/article/facebook-instagram-norway-ban-track-users-ads/)
9. [2019](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50234141)
10. [Source](https://www.facebook.com/facebookcorewwwi/posts/3727741430665883)
11. Facebook onion address
12. TechCrunch. 2019
13. [Source](https://www.facebook.com/atepe.italia)
14. BBC Things
15. [Source](https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/facebook.com)
16. [Alexa Internet](https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/facebook.com)
17. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
18. [Facebook – log in or sign up](https://en-gb.facebook.com/)
19. [Source](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcr9tciZbuvJrEVAgIXCp8Q)
20. Quora
21. [Facebook](https://old.reddit.com/r/facebook/)
22. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Facebook;5297605.html)
23. [Facebook - RationalWiki](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Facebook)
24. KBpedia
25. YouTube API
26. GF WordNet
27. [Best Facebook Posts - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/t/facebook/)
28. [Facebook - SteamGridDB](https://www.steamgriddb.com/game/5285495)
29. [ITV News : The Latest Facebook News](https://www.itv.com/news/topic/facebook)
30. Know Your Meme