Queen’s University experts Sidneyeve Matrix and Vincent Mosco are both available to talk about today’s news that Facebook has reached 1 billion users.

“Facebook has changed the way people communicate but it hasn't figured out how to make money without violating people's privacy expectations and the privacy laws of most governments. Hence the irony: it brings together a large fraction of the world's population but the value of the company is disappointing to the world's investors,” says Dr. Mosco.

Dr. Mosco is a sociology professor emeritus who specializes in the sociology of communication and information technology and is the author of numerous books on communication, technology and society (including The Political Economy of Communication).

Please note Dr. Mosco is based in Ottawa.

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"Facebook has grown to become one of the most popular websites in the world – despite people's love-hate relationship with it. We complain about boring status updates from friends and Facebook's spotty privacy record. Yet hitting 1 billion active members shows it is the default destination for many web users," says Dr. Matrix, a media studies professor who specializes in digital culture and technology.

Dr. Matrix can talk about how the Facebook website has evolved to offer new services for users, as well as how Facebook has shifted from a focus on community to f-commerce, and its struggles with mobility.

Please note that Dr. Matrix is only available for phone interviews.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Michael Onesi (office: 613.533.6000 ext. 77513, michael.onesi@queensu.ca) or Anne Craig (office: 613-533-2877, Anne.Craig@queensu.ca) at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

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