Facebook Capitulates Completely

After users, critics, bloggers and finally, Moveon.Org, went crazy about Facebook’s new information-sharing program, Beacon, the company said this morning that it is implementing a feature that allows users to turn Beacon off completely.

Like Steve Jobs deciding to drop the price of Apple’s iPhone and then responding quickly to loud complaints from people who had already paid $200 more for the phone, Facebook has learned the great lesson of the Internet: Consumers are in charge. The Internet gives consumers the ability to let companies know exactly how they feel about their products, services and policies. Smart companies will take heed and adapt immediately.

While it’s good that Facebook finally took the hint, the company took way too long. Facebook users began complaining about Beacon a month ago. Facebook finally made the change today. Steve Jobs gave early iPhone adapters a $100 credit within 24 hours of announcing the price drop. The Internet reacts very quickly; companies need to do the same.

Now if we can just get TV producers to do the same. Are you listening, Shonda Rhimes?