Ello v/s Facebook

Ello! Have you heard of Ello? It’s touted as the new, beautiful, invite-only social media platform – like Facebook but without ads. Two Brunch journalists had a little fight over this. Here’s a bit from their Google chat

Did you sign up for Ello?

Satarupa: What’s that?

Sent at 2:00 PM on Sunday

Asad:It’s the hot new thing in the social network universe – claims it will be ad-free and won’t use data from your profile etc.. I’m waiting for an invite.

Satarupa: But but but. Don’t we love FB?

Sent at 2:25 PM on Sunday

Asad: Um. You do.

Everybody does!

Asad: Sadly most people flood my timeline with their selfies, cat-pictures and relationship messages, which makes me want to throw up.

Satarupa: So what exactly will you go and do on Ello? Show off your knowledge about politics, sports & the weather?

Asad: Hmmph! It will be 100% ad-free and your personal data won’t be sold to corporations. Please tell me that makes you happy!?

Sent at 2:45 PM on Sunday

Satarupa: So you can still upload photos of cats, your relationship/marital/pregnancy status WITHOUT ads running alongside? Well, at least on FB, I can click on the ad for diamond rings and check out a solitaire for myself if someone’s relationship status ("Just got engaged in Bali") makes me nauseaous...you know what I mean?

Asad: No I don’t know what you mean. Maybe Sonam Kapoor does (get it?) Anyway!

Satarupa: You really think it can overthrow Facebook?

How will it even run?

I read they’re planning some pay-for features.

Satarupa: Which will be what?

Asad: If they get enough users willing to pay for some "premium features" etc then they can make it work I guess, a revenue model.

Satarupa: Don’t know if I would want to pay to upload more photos when I could use that money to buy lingerie that the ad on FB promises will make me look one size smaller!

Sent at 3:05 PM on Sunday

Asad: I guess FB works for you given you look forward with bated breath at the next pop-up ad that fills the top right corner of your FB page.

Satarupa: That’s not the point of this conversation...you’re digressing! I’m off to buy some salad jars now. Online I mean, because that’s what busy people do these days. Bye!

Asad: I’m surprised that buying lingerie off FB has greater priority over your personal data :P Anyway, we will see in 2 months’ time!

Satarupa: Yes, we will. Ta!

Asad: Is Ta another ad-fiiled social network?! Bye.

From HT Brunch, October 12
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