Zuckerberg to Have Biggest Impact on Tech in 2019, Subscribers Say

Facebook’s influence on elections and political discourse was the dominant tech story of 2018. The Information subscribers don’t expect much letup next year: Mark Zuckerberg received the most votes in our survey asking subscribers who will have the greatest impact on the tech industry in 2019.

As the table below shows, subscribers proposed a diverse set of names for The Information’s Person of 2019. But if one theme stood out, it was the growing role that geopolitics and regulation play in the tech industry. Subscribers who chose Mr. Zuckerberg said that Facebook’s strategy in the coming year will have a far-reaching impact on the industry and its reputation with consumers.

“How Facebook makes its way through its current struggles—and fends off the threat of declining users and engagement—will dramatically impact the future of the consumer ad-supported tech ecosystem,” said a respondent.