Is Mark Zuckerberg’s position at Facebook untenable?

There is no doubt that the unflappable Mark Zuckerberg has received a serious wake-up call in light of the Cambridge Analytic scandal allegedly involving Facebook data used to manipulate elections around the world. This is a man who is supremely confident in his own ability, ruthless in his business actions and ultimately a bit of a loner. While there is no doubt that Mark Zuckerberg is a supremely talented entrepreneur there is also no doubt that sometimes he loses sight of reality.

Facebook and yet another scandal

We have seen issues with privacy, copyright on photographs and now we have the mining of personal information from tens of millions of Facebook users. Complicated algorithms are able to link specific actions and specific preferences with other interests and therefore appeal to an area of society in relation to elections and other similar activities. This manipulation, because that’s what it really is, allows particular types and styles of adverts to be placed in front of users who it is proven will likely react in a specific manner. Did the Cambridge Analytical data have an impact on US elections? In what the circumstances was the data used?

Is Mark Zuckerberg’s position at Facebook untenable?
Is Mark Zuckerberg’s position at Facebook untenable?

The reality is this is not the first time Facebook has been dragged into a serious scandal and while the company is doing its best to distance itself from Cambridge Analytics the ties are there. Initial contact which allowed a Cambridge Analytics app to be used to mine data, then we have the employment of at least one former Cambridge Analytics employee within the Facebook group. There are now various ongoing investigations around the world with many experts suggesting Facebook will be fined hundreds of millions of dollars at best and at worst could be susceptible to serious sanctions.

Will Mark Zuckerberg be forced out?

We know that Mark Zuckerberg has a major holding in Facebook, he is the voice and the face of the company and we know he set it up from nothing. Some would suggest he has taken on a “godlike personality” although this latest scandal does seem to have shocked him as he has been uncomfortably quiet. Over the coming weeks and months we will find out whether there has been institutional misuse of data within Facebook or whether the Cambridge Analytics situation was a one-off. Either way, many experts and analysts are now calling for Mark Zuckerberg to consider his position with the company.

There does come a time when any entrepreneur needs to appreciate their moment has come. It may be time to hand over the reins, take a different approach and introduce new personnel. On paper, yes, it does look as though Mark Zuckerberg may well be approaching this particular crossroads in his life. However, could anybody else step in to fill his unbelievably large shoes, with his large ego and ability to deliver?

Summary

The truth is that Mark Zuckerberg will only leave Facebook as and when he feels the time is right. Whether now is that moment is certainly open to debate but the fact it is been openly discussed suggest there is a growing push for him to go. We have seen the value of Facebook fall by tens of billions of dollars with no immediate recovery on the horizon.

In reality, Mark Zuckerberg faces some very searching questions, if he leaves the stock may recover and a new captain for the ship emerge. If he stays, the toxic recent history of the company may well see more advertisers cutting short their contracts and significantly reducing Facebook’s income. This in turn would have a serious impact on market Zuckerberg’s personal wealth although the fact that we are talking in tens of billions of dollars in variation perhaps shows the power and wealth he has built-up.

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