Why did Viber decide to sever ties with Facebook?
Viber has always tried to balance the need to provide superior user experience and access to services with our firm commitment to protecting our users’ privacy and data. We have always been deliberately limiting our exposure to the Facebook ecosystem. We have been hoping for a bigger change in Facebook’s approach and behaviour over the last couple of years, but this, sadly, has not happened. Due to the recent events, we would like to take a principled stand as a company and support the #StopHateForProfit, because Facebook data validation and violent rhetoric have crossed the line.
What are the impacts after removal of Facebook Connect, Facebook's SDK and Facebook's GIF-making platform GIPHY from Viber platform?
We strongly believe that Viber has the obligation to take the moral stand against Facebook's mishandling of user data, continued lack of commitment to user privacy, disregard for the need to take decisive action against hate speech and fake news.
We regard this is as our responsibility as a company which has invested deliberately over the years to promote the virtues of free, open, but also private and secure communication.
We believe that the billion-strong Viber family is expecting us to clearly stand behind our principles and to set an example in this new frontline for maintaining the dignity of only conversation and protecting better the users’ most valuable digital resource - their data.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said they would not step back or change their decision regarding hate speech or fake news on their platform. What is your response?
This time, Facebook will not get away without making significant changes and commitments on the key issues at hand - user privacy, regulating both hate speech and fake news. The only way this can be achieved is by mounting significant, concerted and persistent pressure, especially on their business side - revenue and access to data and customers.
Cutting business ties with Facebook will cost a lot of money for companies. What can you tell us about Viber's impact?
Our users are our number one priority and we would like to keep them safe and secure, just like our Viber platform. Here the point is not to benefit but to take a clear stand that such behavior from a big corporation is unacceptable and it should face the consequences. We are convinced that our users and others across the world share our opinion.
Viber has stopped advertising on Facebook. Will there be any impact in Bangladesh?
Collective efforts of different communities to build a safer tomorrow is appreciated and supported by everyone, therefore we believe that a billion-strong Viber family will understand our principles and stand with us.
Is there any alternative to Facebook to grow Viber’s community/ users with their businesses?
We deliberately tried over the years not to rely heavily on Facebook as a source of growth for our business and have focused instead on boosting our organic installs, referrals by existing users and strategic partnerships with key brands, influencers and organizations, who share our values.
What is Viber’s next move for the APAC region, especially for Bangladesh?
We envision Viber to be a “lifetime app.” We continue to evolve it as your favorite tool to communicate with your family and closest friends not only through our new product features and improvements but also through our product capabilities, enabling our users to conduct their necessities and errands through the app.
By continuously making Viber a viable online marketplace and collaborating with service providers and utility organizations, we empower and encourage the Viber users towards further accomplishment with efficiency, accompanied by the ease of knowing that their privacy is our top priority.
Due to its growth potential, Bangladesh has always been an important market for us and we are constantly seeking ways to improve the app by tailoring to the country’s needs.
Bangladesh is on the right track with its Digital Bangladesh ambition and we intend to be a responsible partner in this journey.