English LanguageStart - Smart Words

Every post you share, ...

The criticism of social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. is based on their use of social graphs and personal data for commercial purposes.

 

We'll be watching you.

Some while ago, an unknown artist used the first words of the Ello Manifesto (see below) in combination with the song “Every Breath You Take” (published 1983 by the band “The Police” and written by Sting) to create a memorable “poem”.

 

Every post you share
And every friend you make
Every link you click, every pic you take
We'll be watching you.

Every login we trace
And every word you tweet
Every game you play, every blog you like
We'll be watching you.

 

 

In 2014 the social network Ello was created as an ad-free alternative to existing social networks. The network was from the start pivoted towards photography, illustrations, art, fashion, etc. and looks more like Pinterest than Facebook.

In their first days they published the so called Ello Manifesto:

Your social network is owned by advertisers.

Every post you share, every friend you make and every link you follow is tracked, recorded and converted into data. Advertisers buy your data so they can show you more ads. You are the product that’s bought and sold.

We believe there is a better way. We believe in audacity. We believe in beauty, simplicity and transparency. We believe that the people who make things and the people who use them should be in partnership.

We believe a social network can be a tool for empowerment. Not a tool to deceive, coerce and manipulate — but a place to connect, create and celebrate life.

You are not a product.