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WhatsApp
Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19 billion. This is an important event because it shows how megacorps like Facebook are slowly taking over other companies. -
Malaysia Airlines
Flight MH370 went missing on March 8, 2014. Many took to Google Maps to search for the plane in the ocean, where it was last seen. This event is important because it shows a time a lot of people came together to help solve a mystery and give closure to families. -
The Internet get its first Internet Bill of Rights
President Dilma Rousseff signed the Marco Civil da Internet into law at the NETmundial conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This law enacted to keep the internet a decentralized network, in which users are the engine for collaboration and innovation.This is an important event because it is open internet for all. -
#Ferguson
In November 2014, the decision to not indict police officer Darren Wilson over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager Michael Brown saw protest across the US. In just a few hours, 3.5 million tweets were posted about the ruling using #Ferguson. Thus, igniting voices that may not of been heard otherwise. Even long after his death, this movement still lives on. This event is important because I feel that it helped start the online SJW movement. -
Ice Bucket Challenge
In 2014, more than 17 million people participated in the "ice bucket challenge". This challenge consisted of pouring an iced cold bucket of water and ice on oneself to recognize what people with ALS go through everyday. The challenged raised $115 million in donations and reached celebrities and billionaires like Bill Gates. This event is important because it raised millions of dollars through social media and the web. -
FTC Adopts Internet Laws
In 2015, the Federal Trade Commission adopted a law in order to keep the internet free and open to the public. This event is important because internet should be free and open to the public. -
Microsoft releases Windows 10
Consumers were not particular found of Windows 8. Thus why Microsoft went to work and released Windows 10 which is still being used to this day. I chose this event because I feel that it changed how we browse on our computers and the internet. -
Initiative-ONE
Mark Zuckerberg spoke during the U.N. General Assembly session to increase awareness for his initiative named ONE, which aims to take action to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases. The initiatives goal's are to bring the internet to the masses and have universal internet access. He believes that the internet is a basic human right and is an essential tool to fight and achieve global justice. This event is important because the leading CEO of
Facebook is taking a stand. -
Pulse Nightclub
On June 12, 2016 a shooter opened fire into a gay gay nightclub, killing 50 (including the perpetrator), and injuring 53 others. Pulse even took to social media to warn others about the shooting. Some families of the victims attempted to sue Facebook, Twitter and Youtube for knowing that ISIS recruited members online and doing nothing to stop it. However, the judge dismissed their case. I think this event is important because of the impact it had on social media. -
#NuggsforCarer
In April 2017, Carter Wilkerson tweeted at Wendys, asking how many retweets it would take to get free chicken nuggets for a year, Wendys told him 18 million. Carter got to 3.5 million retweets and Wendy's ended up giving him free chicken nuggets for a year. This is an important event because it shows how far social media can get a person. -
Amazon
In 2018, Amazon share of the US ecommerce market hit 49%, or 5% of all retail spent across the country. This is more than Amazon's top three competitors combined, with eBay coming in at 6.6%, Apple at 3.9% and Walmart at 3.7%. This is an important event because it shows how many people are now shopping online versus going to the store . -
Internet Users
In 2019, there are 43.8 billion users who utilize the internet. This is an important event because it shows that the internet is still growing and will forever grow. -
First individual creator to reach 100 million on Youtube
Pewdiepie reached 100 million subscribers in late August, 2019. This is an important event because it shows how social media can become one's business.
