Facebook should embrace transparency

Transparency matters. It matters in personal and business relationships. It matters at local, national and international level. It matters in government and governance as it builds trust, loyalty, confidence and morale. It allows acceptance of even unwelcome decisions because the process that led to them is clear, understandable and unambiguous. It also limits nefarious activities by identifying those responsible, thereby making them accountable for their actions.

Secrecy does the opposite. It allows people with power and money to influence everything from what we consume to how we vote, without ever being held accountable. Internet giants like Facebook amplify both transparency and secrecy many times over, which is why they need to take their role in aiding secret influencers more seriously.