In 50 years, dead will outnumber the living on Facebook
IANS|
World's biggest graveyard
AFP
Living dead
Reuters
Right to all the data
"These statistics give rise to new and difficult questions around who has the right to all this data, how should it be managed in the best interests of the families and friends of the deceased and its use by future historians to understand the past," said lead author Carl Ohman, a doctoral candidate at the OII.
AFP
Two potential scenarios
The first scenario assumes that no new users join as of 2018.
Under these conditions, Asia's share of dead users increases rapidly to account for nearly 44 per cent of the total by the end of the century.
"Nearly half of those profiles come from India and Indonesia, which together account for just under 279 million Facebook mortalities by 2100," the researchers said.
The second scenario assumes that Facebook continues to grow by its current rate of 13 per cent globally, every year, until each market reaches saturation.
Under these conditions, Africa will make up a growing share of dead users.
"The management of our digital remains will eventually affect everyone who uses social media, since all of us will one day pass away and leave our data behind," said Ohman.
Reuters
What could Facebook do
Facebook should invite historians, archivists, archaeologists and ethicists to participate in the process of curating the vast volume of accumulated data that we leave behind as we pass away.
"This is not just about finding solutions that will be sustainable for the next couple of years, but possibly for many decades ahead," added study co-author David Watson, also a DPhil student at the OII.
Reuters
