Wikipedia founder calls for social media strike

People are being urged to stop using social media for up to 48 hours later this week in an effort to pressure the networks into restoring control of personal data to users.

The call to strike from 4^th to 5^th July which has been issued by co-founder of Wikipedia online encyclopedia, Dr Larry Sanger, is intended to show “massive demand for change.

However, questions have been raised as to how much impact the strike will have on social media platforms.

Big changes

In a blog post by Dr Sanger, the two-day boycott is to make lots of noise and ensure the right thing is done.”

“We’re going to flex our collective muscles and demand that giant, manipulative corporations give us back control over our data, privacy, and user experience,” he said.

He believes the more people join the strike, the more it shows how dissatisfied people are; which will prompt changes at the large social networks and grant people control over their data.

Dr Sanger also hopes the networks become more open and interoperable so that a post made on one service can show up on others.

“This is how social media should have been developed from the beginning, rather than walled off in separate, competing networks,” he said.

Persons interested in the strike are required to sign the Declaration of Digital Independence drafted by Dr Sanger. The Declaration calls for social networks to be decentralised and turned into systems that respect the rights of free speech, privacy and security.

The strike call has circulated widely on Reddit, Twitter and several other networks. Dr Sanger has asked supporters to spread the word on Facebook as he maintains no presence on that network.

The strike is expected to come off this week despite several people playing down the importance.

Edward Kyei Frimpong-Mybeeponline