I think this is a valid concern. I also very much dislike the tracking and being used. Those platforms feel like a home where you can discuss things with your friends, share pictures of your last vacation. Stay in the loop about hobbies, or just kill time… But the dark secret is, you’re constantly being tracked in the background. Each interaction gets recorded and they’ll assess who might be most interested in you. They will also sell that info. And used it to feed the algorithms. The algorithm will make sure to feed exactly the right content to you to keep you entertained. Calculate what to do to you to keep your engagement high or keep you swiping. And they’ll probably make it a nice little bubble, too, that feels comfortable.
And the last thing is also my main problem. I want people to break free from this shit. Not rely on the benevolence of WhatsApp (Meta) to communicate with family members (me). et cetera. But it’s too easy. You don’t even need to remember a password. Just type in your drumroll phone number and you’re done. And our free social media alternatives also suck (in comparison) because they’re not made to be addictive. And silicon valley companies arguably hire psychologists to make their apps extra addictive.
There is no way the good will prevail.
(Well, actually I think there is. I think we need something like the Enlightenment and have the majority of people on the world put in the effort to make some changes.)