Clubhouse is the fashionable social network right now. The application allows you to open discussion rooms with voice memos, an innovative concept in the industry. The world of platforms at times seems to be saturated and large companies want to keep the circle of competitors to a minimum. Facebook is developing its own audio social network, an idea similar to that of Clubhouse.
Although the details of this platform are unknown at the moment, it can be expected that it contains the same characteristics as Clubhouse, that is, a social network without videos, texts or images, only sound. The social network of Paul Davison and Rohan Seth are already valued at $ 1 billion.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, praised Clubhouse for being a breakthrough for virtual and augmented reality.
Zuckerberg’s company, which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, has already been involved in a series of controversies with other social networks. The main complaints against Facebook claim that the social network takes ideas from other platforms that they cannot buy to implement them.
The keys to Clubhouse success
Besides being a cool platform, where sound reigns, Clubhouse offers that exclusivity that any user wants. The application is only available for phones with iOS operating system and an account can be created with the invitation of another user.
The podcast boom during the COVID-19 pandemic has also strengthened the platform. The closeness you offer, by engaging in voice memos, represents a way to safely break social distancing.
At the end of January 2021, with more than 2 million users, the platform celebrates having artists, comedians, singers, athletes, businessmen and others in its ranks who offer interesting talks for users.
Personalities like Elon Musk, Oprah and Jared Leto have given Clubhouse the idea that you can converse with anyone.
Just agree to do Clubhouse with @kanyewest
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 10, 2021
A lifetime of criticism for possible copies
The complaints against Facebook and the other platforms of the family are not recent. The “Like” button has been one of the most important implements in the digital world. Although Zuckerberg’s company claims it’s a 2007 brainchild, theories point to the defunct FriendFeed social network having the option a year earlier.
One of the most talked about controversies has been that of Instagram and Snapchat. According to experts, Facebook intended to buy the yellow ghost company but it never materialized. As a result, the stories were implemented on Instagram and later on WhatsApp. While it is true that Twitter also implemented a similar option, Facebook caused Snapchat to lose its differentiating element and popularity.
Before competing with Clubhouse, in 2020 Facebook saw a new competitor climb the ranks. TikTok came for a new generation that filled the platform in a few months, but Facebook was not going to be left behind. Reels were the answer to short TikTok videos, with the same characteristics.
Along with its voice platform, Facebook would also be working on a Feed vertical for stories, very similar to TikTok.
Facebook’s legal problems
Although the power of Facebook is undeniable, it has also been the target of various legal proceedings. The Federal Trade Commission of the United States (FTC, for its acronym in English) began legal action against Zuckerberg for alleged monopolistic practices.
The purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp, two platforms with millions of users, were denounced for “stunting the growth of their followers.” The process can cause purchases to be reversed.
The investigation uncovered an email from Zuckerberg in which he talks to his team about major acquisitions to “neutralize rivals.”
Facebook responded to the FTC’s allegations in a statement. In the letter, the company criticizes that the process takes place years after the purchases and that the United States Government does not take into account the “impact” that would be to reverse the acquisitions.
2021 seems to be a difficult year for Facebook, despite this, several projects are still standing that cast doubt on the authenticity of the company.
We’re reviewing the complaints & will have more to say soon. Years after the FTC cleared our acquisitions, the government now wants a do-over with no regard for the impact that precedent would have on the broader business community or the people who choose our products every day.
— Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) December 9, 2020
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