From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Type of site | Social networking |
| Owner | Meta Platforms |
| Founder(s) | Mark Zuckerberg |
| Launched | February 4, 2004 |
| Use site | |
Facebook is an American online social media and social networking service owned by technology giant Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and fellow Harvard College students, it has grown into the world's most populous social network, boasting over 3 billion monthly active users.
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Infrastructure
- 3 Controversies
History
Originally launched as "TheFacebook" for Ivy League students, the site expanded globally in 2006. By 2012, Facebook held one of the largest IPOs in history. The platform shifted toward mobile usage in the mid-2010s, acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp to solidify its market dominance.
Infrastructure
Facebook operates out of massive data centers globally. The algorithm, known as the "News Feed," uses machine learning to predict user engagement and serve targeted advertisements, generating billions in annual revenue through its proprietary ad-bidding system.
Controversies
The platform has faced intense scrutiny regarding data privacy, most notably during the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Critics have raised concerns over the psychological effects of social media, the spread of misinformation, and the platform's role in political polarization across various sovereign nations.