Do you use Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp? Then you are directly supporting Meta, the parent company behind these giants. As a public speaker on the darker sides of digitalization, I have chosen to leave these platforms.
Here are four crucial reasons why I made this choice—and why you might want to consider the same.
1. Environment: Datacentre endless ned for power and water
Meta’s constant search for new European data centres reveals a terrifying environmental cost.
- The Netherlands, Zeewolde (2022): Meta planned a data centre spanning 166 hectares—the equivalent of 132 international football fields. The most shocking part? It would consume as much power as 460,000 households. Fortunately, due to mobilization in the small town of 22,000 inhabitants, the project was stopped. (See the story of how a small town stood up to Meta.)
- Spain, Talavera de la Reina: Meta turned its focus to this arid agricultural region. Despite drought destroying 80–90% of crops in 2024, local activists revealed the data centre would devour nearly 665 million litres of water annually.
- The reality today: The project in Spain is still underway. Local authorities are pressured to accept the investment believing it creates jobs. The truth is data centres create a minimal number of jobs compared to the massive consumption of energy, water, and land they require.
What is it like to live near a Meta data centre? Videos show disappearing water sources and terrible noise and light pollution.
2. Retreat from Human Rights: Dissolving DEI
Meta is reversing its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The company is dissolving its dedicated DEI team and ending key initiatives like equity and inclusion training. This move, also seen among other major US tech companies, demonstrates a retreat from fundamental ethical principles. By deprioritizing diversity and inclusion, they reveal the true nature of these tech giants and ignore the importance of a representative and fair workforce.
3. Threat to democracy: Ending Fact-Checking
Meta is ceasing the use of independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram. This program was originally strengthened after the tragic death of 14-year-old Molly Russell in 2017, who took her own life after viewing harmful material on the platforms. Meta publicly apologized for its role at the time.
- The Consequence: By removing independent verification, Meta opens the platform to a flood of conspiracy theories, fake news, and harmful content.
- Democracy: Fact-checkers have played a vital role in protecting democracy by ensuring reliable sources and verifying statements. This move is a direct threat to the values we stand for in Europe.
The Molly Rose Foundation strongly warns that this will set Facebook and Instagram back to the dangerous level they were at when Molly Russell died.
4. Why AI?
Meta’s ambitious AI venture is an environmental nightmare.
The company intends to use your data and your content to train its AI models. Their new AI data centre in El Paso, Texas, will require 1 gigawatt of electricity—enough energy to power a city the size of San Francisco for almost 2 months.
AI requires an infinite amount of power, water, and minerals, with the latter often extracted from conflict areas and carrying ethical challenges related to forced labour and poor working conditions. This represents an unsustainable and irresponsible footprint.
Our Choice – Our Responsibility: Reclaim Control!
What shall we say about the so-called influencers who draw millions of users to these platforms, thereby directly supporting Meta’s irresponsible practices?
Digitalization as practiced by companies like Meta:
- Is killing our planet.
- Neglects fundamental human rights.
- Is a threat to our democracy.
THIS IS THE TIME TO ACT – STOP SUPPORTING META’S AGENDA!
- Take Ownership of Your Data: Consider deleting or deactivating your Meta accounts (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). Every disappearing user sends a clear signal to the market.
- Choose Alternatives: Find platforms and technologies that prioritize privacy, environment, and ethics.
- Become an advocate: Share this information within your network. Start the conversation and challenge those who are still Meta users to reconsider.
I am a public speaker passionate about this topic. My goal is to create a digitalization that protects our globe, the people who live here—and our precious democracy.
Do you want to transform the way your organization thinks about technology? Contact me today for a presentation on how we can create a responsible digital future!
Lectures can be booked here: https://www.foredragsholder.no/foredragsholdere/oerjan-stenseng/