So is Facebook shutting down? Here’s the official response from Facebook on the matter:
Facebook: We didn’t get the memo about shutting down, so we’ll keep working away like always. We aren’t going anywhere; we’re just getting started.
So there you have it, no, Facebook isn’t shutting down anytime soon… And why would they with the recent investment from Goldman Sacks.
Where’s this rumor begin, about Facebook shutting down on March 15th?
The Internet rumor was sparked by a report from the “Weekly World News,” a website which also includes a story insisting “Alien spaceships to attack Earth in 2011” and another titled “Mike Tyson Pigeon Fetish.”
According to their Facebook “story,” the super popular social media website would be shut down in March because Mark Zuckerberg was getting too stressed out.
“Facebook has gotten out of control and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life,” the newspaper quoted Zuckerberg as saying at an alleged press conference in California on Saturday.
The questionable story apparently sent Facebook users into a panic. The phrase “is facebook shutting down” was the 14th most searched for on Google Saturday and the 10th most as of Sunday morning.
Here’s the article from World News:
Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will be shut down in March. Managing the site has become too stressful.
“Facebook has gotten out of control,” said Zuckerberg in a press conference outside his Palo Alto office, “and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness.”
Zuckerberg went on to explain that starting March 15th, users will no longer be able to access their Facebook accounts.
“After March 15th the whole website shuts down,” said Avrat Humarthi, Vice President of Technical Affairs at Facebook. “So if you ever want to see your pictures again, I recommend you take them off the internet. You won’t be able to get them back once Facebook goes out of business.”
Zuckerberg said that the decision to shut down Facebook was difficult, but that he does not think people will be upset.
“I personally don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said in a private phone interview. “And to be honest, I think it’s for the better. Without Facebook, people will have to go outside and make real friends. That’s always a good thing.”
Some Facebook users were furious upon hearing the shocking news.
“What am I going to do without Facebook?” said Denise Bradshaw, a high school student from Indiana. “My life revolves around it. I’m on Facebook at least 10 hours a day. Now what am I going to do with all that free time?”
However, parents across the country have been experiencing a long anticipated sense of relief.
“I’m glad the Facebook nightmare is over,” said Jon Guttari, a single parent from Detroit. “Now my teenager’s face won’t be glued to a computer screen all day. Maybe I can even have a conversation with her.”
Those in the financial circuit are criticizing Zuckerberg for walking away from a multibillion dollar franchise. Facebook is currently ranked as one of the wealthiest businesses in the world, with economists estimating its value at around 7.9 billion.
But Zuckerberg remains unruffled by these accusations. He says he will stand by his decision to give Facebook the axe.
“I don’t care about the money,” said Zuckerberg. “I just want my old life back.”
The Facebook Corporation suggests that users remove all of their personal information from the website before March 15th. After that date, all photos, notes, links, and videos will be permanently erased.