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Why would facebook block an open source initiative, considering that they've contributed a ton of open source software (react, graphql, pytorch, etc)? The more

Why would facebook block an open source initiative, considering that they've contributed a ton of open source software (react, graphql, pytorch, etc)? The more simple explanation is that an automated detector misclassified the link because it shares patterns with spam links.

arboles 4y ago
- hobofan 4y ago
  Could you please explain why you think this is being naive? Same as GP, I don't see what interest Facebook would have in blocking this initiative. The impact the initiative would have would have very little impact on Facebook's business. Their moat is their userbase and no amount of good "public code" would change that.
pmlnr 4y ago
open source software from bigco it's only a smoke and mirrors to make it look like they are nice. https://publiccode.eu/ https://publiccode.eu/ and the current legislation trends in the EU are not fun, because they are not able to drive the narrative.
- lolinder 4y ago
  First, whether you like React or not, it's hard to argue that the most popular JavaScript framework is "just smoke and mirrors". It might be great PR, but there's also a lot of substance to it. Second, even if publiccode.eu doesn't help Facebook in any way, that's not evidence that they have motive to intentionally block it. You'd have to demonstrate that they have some reason to want the initiative to fail, not just claim they don't care.
  - cuteboy19 4y ago
    Does metabook create government related software? I can understand such behaviour from Microsoft, not sure what the motivation would be for FB
    - emilz0r 4y ago
      Workplace from Meta is not targeted specifically for governments, but are used by government orgs I've worked at.
- e-clinton 4y ago
  “open source software from bigco it's only a smoke and mirrors to make it look like they are nice.” So the React ecosystem is smoke and mirrors? GraphQL?
- smoldesu 4y ago
  I mean... yes. This is the case with Microsoft, Apple, Google and pretty much anyone else on the Fortune 500 that owns a software stack. I still find it hard to believe Facebook would go out of their way to intentionally flag random political articles for seemingly minimal gain.
Vinnl 4y ago
Another alternative explanation that wouldn't require Facebook's malice, assuming that this initiative does have its opponents, is that Facebook's some reporting tools were weaponised, i.e. lots of false reports caused the automated detector to misclassify it. (I don't actually expect it to have such staunch opponents, though, so the misclassification is probably due to other reasons.)

arboles 4y ago

hobofan 4y ago
Could you please explain why you think this is being naive? Same as GP, I don't see what interest Facebook would have in blocking this initiative. The impact the initiative would have would have very little impact on Facebook's business. Their moat is their userbase and no amount of good "public code" would change that.

pmlnr 4y ago

open source software from bigco it's only a smoke and mirrors to make it look like they are nice. https://publiccode.eu/ https://publiccode.eu/ and the current legislation trends in the EU are not fun, because they are not able to drive the narrative.

lolinder 4y ago
First, whether you like React or not, it's hard to argue that the most popular JavaScript framework is "just smoke and mirrors". It might be great PR, but there's also a lot of substance to it. Second, even if publiccode.eu doesn't help Facebook in any way, that's not evidence that they have motive to intentionally block it. You'd have to demonstrate that they have some reason to want the initiative to fail, not just claim they don't care.
- cuteboy19 4y ago
  Does metabook create government related software? I can understand such behaviour from Microsoft, not sure what the motivation would be for FB
  - emilz0r 4y ago
    Workplace from Meta is not targeted specifically for governments, but are used by government orgs I've worked at.
e-clinton 4y ago
“open source software from bigco it's only a smoke and mirrors to make it look like they are nice.” So the React ecosystem is smoke and mirrors? GraphQL?
smoldesu 4y ago
I mean... yes. This is the case with Microsoft, Apple, Google and pretty much anyone else on the Fortune 500 that owns a software stack. I still find it hard to believe Facebook would go out of their way to intentionally flag random political articles for seemingly minimal gain.

Vinnl 4y ago

Another alternative explanation that wouldn't require Facebook's malice, assuming that this initiative does have its opponents, is that Facebook's some reporting tools were weaponised, i.e. lots of false reports caused the automated detector to misclassify it. (I don't actually expect it to have such staunch opponents, though, so the misclassification is probably due to other reasons.)