Facebook Liberation Army FAQ

• What is a Facebook Farewell Party?

  A Facebook Farewell Party is an event to raise public awareness about the problems with today's social media status quo. There is an increasing criticism of Facebook and how it handles the privacy and personal data of its users. Instead of using the incredible growth of its unique platform for pro-social causes, Facebook concerns itself with chipping away privacy and replacing it with ad revenue.

  On June 23rd, 2015, the first Facebook Farewell Party took place in the municipal theater in Amsterdam. The evening programme included talks from Aral Balkan (UK, founder and head designer of Ind.ie), Hans Schnitzler (philosopher, writer, and former columnist for the Volkskrant), and Marleen Stikker (director and co-founder of Waag Society). Between the lectures, there were several performance pieces laced with witty, biting commentary from the municipal theatre's actors.

  After the main programme, there was a large party (complete with DJ and drinks) and side shows with DIY activities where guests got hands-on experience with protecting their online privacy. Those in attendance learned how to encrypt their information and build networks within networks to obscure their identity.

  Want to join the fun? Throw your own party! And be sure to tell us all about it.

  Want to know more about the first Facebook Farewell party? Check out this report from one of the partners.

Do I have to leave Facebook if I attend a Facebook Farewell Party?

The short answer is: No. The long answer is: No, of course not! FLA's goal is to make Facebook (and other networks like it) a better place for user privacy. And there are ways you can fight for your privacy rights within the network. See our directives and instructions for more information about hiding on Facebook.

• Who is the Facebook Liberation Army?

  A group of Facebook users founded the Facebook Liberation Army to release users from its increasingly problematic grasp. Instead of using the growth of its unique platform for pro-social causes, Facebook concerns itself with chipping away personal privacy and selling its users' data. The Facebook Liberation Army loves our social network and believes we can do better!

  The Facebook Liberation Army has three divisions: the Hidden (those who provide a safe existence on Facebook), the Rebels (those who commit to an active resistance to Facebook), and the Refugees (those seeking refuge outside Facebook). There is, obviously, no hierarchy within the social network army—only strength and crushing power. The Facebook Liberation Army wants you!

• How can I join the movement?

  You can start by getting your copy of The Facebook Liberation Army's Directives & Instructions, an informative, printable pamphlet containing basic strategies. Print some out and share with your friends!

• Yeah, I'm too tired to fight anybody. How do I leave Facebook?

  Well, a good place to start would be by downloading a copy of the Facebook Liberation Army's "How To Delete Your Facebook Account", which gives you step-by-step instructions on how to leave the network with your data intact. Or, if you don't have time for all that, you can just go the the delete your account page in Facebook's help section.

• Who can I contact if I want to know more about the Facebook Farewell Party?

  You can find contact information here: The Facebook Liberation Army Project Page.

• I want to throw a Facebook Farewell Party, too! Where should I start?

  Start with enthusiasm, and then read this: How to Throw A Facebook Farewell Party. Remember that you can (and should) have fun with this! It's a serious topic, but the tone can be slightly "cheeky." It is a party, after all.

• What are those "10 Grievances Against Facebook" in your directives about? They seem kind of extreme don't they?

  Well, yeah. Out of context they look a little crazy. But we encourage you to do some research about problems people have had with the platform in terms of privacy, manipluation, censorship, spying, problematic policies, selling user data, changing their rules mid-game, being addictive, turning family and friends against each other, and indirectly encouraging bullying over the years. It's not exactly pretty, and we think our digital neighbourhood could use a clean up.

  If you want to know more, you can check out the Criticism of Facebook Wikipedia page. But, fair warning, it's a really long article.

• Where can I find more information?

  If you want to know more, you can check out some of the links from the FLA partners:

  From Institute of Network Cultures: 10 reasons to leave Facebook, and how to let go

  From Institute of Network Cultures: Unlike Us

  From Institute of Network Cultures: The Facebook Aquarium