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>The decision could result in the executives being held in contempt of parliament

So worst case, they can't enter canada anymore? I find it unlikely that they'd get cut out of the canadian market because of it.



Okay, I never have used Facebook so perhaps I am missing something. Quite probable.

However, I humbly disagree, you hinted at the answer. Yes, worse case is Canada and other markets begin blocking Facebook.

What value does Facebook add to Canada or any market. Advertising? Advertising is a zero sum game. If Facebook disappears there's no advertising loss in the market, other agencies will take over.


If facebook disappeared from those 10 countries what difference would it make to the citizens of those countries? Not very much. Other local services would pop up to take its place and replicate its functionality. I don't think Facebook pays much tax to these countries either, so a local replacement would create greater amounts of tax revenue as well as jobs for their citizens.

Considering how large a political and security risk Facebook is, I don't understand why any country would allow this sort of service to operate outside its borders without oversight.


You underestimate the disruption the banning of Facebook would have. It really isn't easy to replace a service where the main attraction is the people using the service. It'll take years for anything considerable to pop up even if the alternative is ready the moment Facebook closes.


I don't understand what vital function facbeook serves that people could not use other fallback tools like e-mail to deal with their issues in its absence until something else pops up. Ad dollars would go to other local media sources that facebook is essentially killing.


Everyone here knows how those alternatives work, but we’re unusual. I think (I’m not a chemist) it’s like being on a chemistry forum expressing surprise about a ban on <generic drug example> when it’s “easy” to make the stuff at home.

We’re blocking JavaScript as a security precaution when normal people often still use 123456 as their password.

I still think banning Facebook would be a net win, but it’s not zero cost.


> Everyone here knows how those alternatives work, but we’re unusual.

I think you underestimate the average user. Most do know how e-mail, forums and instant messengers work. Those that don't will learn.


> Those that don't will learn.

Sure. What’s the cost of learning?

I have many examples of even smart people not knowing what tech can do. I’m still regularly blowing people’s minds with the AR mode in Google Translate, and the tech behind that is 8.5 years old now.

This isn’t even a new phenomena — back when I was a kid all the adults joked about needing someone under the age of 14 to work the VCR and stop digital clocks flashing 12:00 forever. The jokes didn’t stop until VCRs stopped being a thing.


Not that high. People may not know what tech can do but they do know that tech can do the things Facebook does. Using separate services may be less convenient than something like Facebook (or would be if Facebook's UX wasn't horrible) but it isn't really harder. If Facebook gets replaced by another monolith, using it won't even be more inconvenient.


I agree with you that other sites and tools would eventually pick up the slack but if you honestly can't see the disruption it would cause both citizens, businesses, event organizers, etc then you're not qualified to be in the discussion.


So Facebook is essentially holding Canada hostage. A sovereign country shouldn't give in to the demands of a company blackmailing it. Even if that has a cost.


> It'll take years for anything considerable to pop up even if the alternative is ready the moment Facebook closes.

How did you arrive at that conclusion?

Even if it were true: Banning Facebook would still be worth it. It's a net negative for society. In a way, that's an impressive achievement.


I think the most probable outcome would be that they would fine Facebook.


It's an international committee, likely just leaves an even more sour taste in the mouths of international governments.




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