Its been a rough week for Facebook, just like the previous week, and the week before that.
We dug out our crystal ball to predict whats next for the social media giant.
A regulatory backlash
TheFacebook Filesheightened calls for lawmakers to regulate the company.
40% off TNW Conference!
She snubbed calls to break up Facebook and suggested the companys former employees could help oversee the business.
Thats the kind of scrutiny that even Facebook could support.
Facebook can also draw on its enormous resources to challenge proposals it doesnt like.
In the US, the path towards new regulation will likely be a long one.
Facebooks focus on profit over health has drawn comparisons to Big Tobacco.
But ittook more than a decadeto turn awhistleblowers revelations about tobacco harms into meaningful regulation of the industry.
A more urgent concern for Facebook may be the potential increases inclass-action lawsuits and probes by state attorneys general.
The Metaverse
Have you heard the exciting news about the Facebook rebrand?
The social media giant has renamed its holding company as Meta.
The names of the apps that we buildFacebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsAppwill remain the same.
Facebook (@Facebook)October 28, 2021
The shift is similar toGoogles reorganization under the Alphabet name.
Growing old disgracefully
Facebooks woes havent yet extended to the companys financial performance.
Theyre projected to drop by 45% in the next two years.
Those demographic changes will be a big threat to the companys future.
In response, Facebook is exploring new ways of attracting younger users.
However, some of Facebooks ideas suggest the company doesnt quite understand the audience.
Is there a way to leverage playdates to drive word of hand/growth among kids?
The companys moves suggest that Facebook will grow old disgracefully.
The metaverse looks like Zuckerbergs attempt to reverse the slow decline.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
