Experiments on human beings require informed consent. Studies performed by universities, pharmaceutical and biotech companies must all give detailed information to the participants about the risks and results (both expected and potential) of the study before they conduct their research. Unfortunately, Facebook begs to differ. Facebook published the results of their experiment on the manipulation of Facebook users’ emotional content via the news feed in a scientific journal. Four months after the experiment in 2012, Facebook added the possibility in its data use agreement. By revealing this controversial experiment to the public, legitimate questions arise about Facebook’s ethics.

Scientist are not allowed to perform tests on other human beings without their permission first. No other company would do what Facebook did without facing serious legal charges. So why did Facebook get away with this? Well, it may have something to do with the subtlety with which they executed this study. Little did we know, internet companies regularly conduct experiments on their users and they do not follow the ethical standards of research. Social scientists have codes and ethical standards to follow but yet an immoral experiment such as an emotional manipulation neglects the ethical standards of research. Success is not judged simply by money and power, but also human decency and social contribution. Facebook, and other internet companies that perform unethical researches, should face legal responsibilities. It is unfair to the millions of Facebook users to have their emotions toyed and played with without their consent.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-30/facebooks-emotional-manipulation-test-was-unethical-and-so-is-the-rest-of-social-media

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-klitzman-md/why-facebook-needs-to-fol_b_5557862.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2014/06/30/facebook-only-got-permission-to-do-research-on-users-after-emotion-manipulation-study/