【Observation】Facebook Throws a Democratic Bombshell! The social platform will reshape the face of political expression.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a new initiative at 11 a.m. on the 17th: From July to the November U.S. election, Facebook and Instagram will be used to promote voter turnout. Over 160 million people in the U.S. will receive voting information through social platforms, with the hope of assisting four million people in registering to vote this year.

Racial Disparity in U.S. Voter Turnout, Facebook's Attempt to Change

According to data, there is a disparity in voter turnout in the U.S. based on race. Non-Hispanic black voter turnout has exceeded 50% in presidential elections since 2000, matching that of non-Hispanic white voters. However, Hispanic and other racial groups in the U.S. have consistently remained below the 50% mark.

Additionally, unlike the political enthusiasm seen in the younger generation in Taiwan, voter turnout among those aged 20 to 39 reached 74% in the 2020 election. The voter turnout for the U.S. population under 29 is 40%, increasing with older age groups, with those over 60 having a turnout rate of 70%.

Mark Zuckerberg aims to address the low voter turnout caused by various factors through a new initiative. He stated: "First, we're encouraging people to vote. Voting is voice. It's the most powerful expression of democracy we have, the best way to hold our leaders accountable, and how we solve many of the issues our country is grappling with."

As a result, Zuckerberg believes that Facebook has a responsibility not only to prevent voter suppression (disproportionately targeting people of color) but also to actively support informed voter participation, registration, and voting.

According to Zuckerberg, Facebook will launch a "Voting Information Center" on Facebook and Instagram from July to November this year, providing detailed information on how to vote, where to vote, and more, prominently displayed in users' feeds.

How Facebook Teaches You to Vote, with Three Reasons?

According to a survey by social media giant Facebook, over half of U.S. adults are more eager than ever in this presidential election to obtain information on "how to vote." Facebook aims to transition its community from merely engaging online to taking real-world action.

The second reason is quite interesting. Facebook, which previously had ties to election interference through Cambridge Analytica, stated that they were late to discover foreign influence on elections in 2016. Since then, they have built more advanced systems to prevent election interference. Facebook undertakes this effort because they believe they have a responsibility to uphold the integrity of voting.

The final reason aligns with Twitter's labeling of Trump's false statements. Zuckerberg expressed that everyone wants political figures to be accountable for their words. He is aware that many people wish Facebook could edit or remove such content. While Facebook has policies on banning content that can directly harm or dissuade people from voting, using bans to silence political figures is a more passive approach for Zuckerberg.

He believes that the best way to hold political figures accountable is through voting, which is why Facebook is undertaking this initiative.

What's the Connection to Blockchain?

In recent years, we have seen numerous cases of so-called blockchain voting systems. However, whether through digital means (such as the mishap in the Democratic Party primary electronic voting) or emphasizing immutability through blockchain, the election process has not significantly changed.

From past experiences, those willing to participate in major elections do not refrain from expressing their public opinion due to inconvenience or the need for cross-border involvement. The link between blockchain and elections should be about "consensus," as we understand and agree that public elections can bring about change, and we believe in the value of the ballot in our hands to effect that change. Blockchain also discusses decentralized governance, whether for a nation or a corporation, aiming to provide mechanisms that connect participants' interests, encouraging more involvement and concern.

However, real life is more complex, and people may not always directly connect politics to their personal interests, leading to various politically apathetic groups. Nevertheless, politics is closely intertwined with each individual. As a member of the cryptocurrency community, can we also reconsider our society from this microcosm of a country or corporation?

Should You Trust Facebook? Your Political Leanings and Privacy

Facebook has long been questioned regarding data privacy. Internet giants record user behavior, analyze interests, and aside from providing users with community content they may enjoy, they profit from selling user data through targeted advertising. Businesses can precisely target potential customers and purchase ad exposure on Facebook. On a darker note, the Cambridge Analytica incident showed how precise data analysis and message delivery could potentially alter and intensify public opinion.

Currently, political advertising on Facebook undergoes special scrutiny. However, within the soon-to-be-launched U.S. Election Information Center on Facebook, with its sharing capabilities, users are highly likely to reveal their political leanings while sharing election information. Imagine Facebook knowing more about you than a bank's KYC process, potentially creating highly accurate political inclination census data. Should we trust Facebook?