Venturebeat and Techcrunch have both reported an interesting change at Facebook. Apparently, Elliot Schrange, the ex-Google employee turned VP of Communications and Public Policy at Facebook has taken over as the head of the developer platform. Why the change? Well according to Techcrunch the change is due to an increase in importance of policy government policy effecting the platform.
Just last week Facebook spoke in front of the U.S. Senate on the privacy implications of online advertising. There is increasing discussion within the government about online privacy and given Elliot Schrange’s history with representing Google in front of Congress, he makes for a good fit. Does that require having the same position that Chamath Palihapitiya?
Not necessarily but the new policy of Facebook to shut down large applications for violations as they did with Slide’s Top Friends application means they need a “diplomat” as Mike Arrington puts it. So what’s in store for the future? More of the same most likely. We will continue to see an increase in enforcement over sketchy practices on the platform. Defining where the line is set for developers will become increasingly challenging for Facebook and apparently it will require the work of Elliot Schrange.
