Facebook is paying users to delete their accounts

As proven in the years following certain political events, Facebook has caused weird effects on democracy as we know it. In what was known as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the social media platform severely influenced the results of the 2016 presidential elections. That said, the company is starting to take responsibility and research its effects on upcoming elections. In an effort to do so, Facebook is paying users to delete their accounts.

In a new research project, Facebook has announced a swathing survey on its effect in the upcoming US presidential elections. Spotted by The Washington Post, the platform (and its sister platform, Instagram) started asking users how much money they’d want to shut down their accounts for up to six weeks starting sometime in late September.
As proven in the years following certain political events, Facebook has caused weird effects on democracy as we know it. In what was known as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the social media platform severely influenced the results of the 2016 presidential elections. That said, the company is starting to take responsibility and research its effects on upcoming elections. In an effort to do so, Facebook is paying users to delete their accounts.

In a new research project, Facebook has announced a swathing survey on its effect in the upcoming US presidential elections. Spotted by The Washington Post, the platform (and its sister platform, Instagram) started asking users how much money they’d want to shut down their accounts for up to six weeks starting sometime in late September.


The survey lists potential payment schemes ranging from US$ 10 to US$ 20 per week. Further, the survey directly mentions an upcoming survey sometime in November after the US Presidential Elections.

Further, The Verge reports that Facebook will truly ask users to deactivate their accounts as part of the research project. “Anyone who chooses to opt in — whether it’s completing surveys or deactivating FB or IG for a period of time — will be compensated,” Facebook said.

Currently, the research affects the US at this time. However, Facebook might also research its effect in the Philippine elections within two years. The social media platform has already announced its active role in curbing any untoward effect towards political elections in the past. That said, Facebook’s role in politics is still questionable at best. Still, the research project is a step in the right direction.

Facebook hopes to release the results of the project sometime next year.

Technology