It is a day after Marc Zuckerberg appeared at the European Parliament. For 1,5 hours. Expectation were very high, the result moderate. The only winner is the Facebook CEO as the European Parliament made it very easy for him.
First announcement was, he is not coming, later probably his advisers told him, EU is one of the biggest markets for Facebook and has more users than U.S., so he decided to come, but only behind the closed doors. This was a very strategic and smart move. Very motivated MEP leaders plead the EP President to open the doors for public and finally it was web streamed. At the first look, it might be a great achievement by the EP, but finally it ended in a one way traffic from MEPs making campaigning statements towards their voters, rather than the real chance for FB CEO to answer properly and in details. It would be too much expected. And the time was too short. All responsible CEO’s would do exactly the same. Would you as a CEO unveil your company secrets when the whole world is watching? I doubt.
It would be much wiser to held the meeting under the closed doors, preparing expectations and questions well ahead of the meeting and make it very clear to Marc Zuckerberg that some answers will have to be delivered. This would also allow for prioritization and created clarity on at least some of the issues. It would also allow more time for each of the main concerns for Marc Zuckerberg to go into the details. It would probably force him to do so. All the political leaders could easily have a debrief from the meeting during their political group meetings and if wished also during a dedicated press conference(s).
But I guess this is difficult and does not offer enough political points and attention for the upcoming elections. I also strongly believe the Parliament could take the issue more strategically and use the unique opportunity to have him »in the house« and approach the issues with a matter of real concern and worry, rather than only applying »the stick«. At the end of the day, GDPR will offer changes and it was a good reminder that EU needs to put laws in place to protect its citizens and allow for safe usage of the social media networks.
Dear MEP’s, it seems @Marc Zuckerberg did not only show he is an IT genius, he also strategically outplayed all the »old foxes« in the European politics. At the end, the only losers are the Europeans and Facebook users getting a »campaigning« show, rather then clarity on what the digital future will bring for them. The big victory claimed by the EP President by the fact that Marc Zuckerberg travelled to Brussels is just the sand in the voter’s eyes.
Jernej Vernik webpage 