Social media has lit up this week with rumors that Facebook is shutting down on May 15, 2013. It is the latest in a series of such claims over the past few years.

It’s not true.

Claims that Facebook is shutting down seem to bubble up every few months. The rumor surged back in March of 2012, followed a few months later by another fake July 15, 2012 deadline which we covered here. In November 2012 there was a slight variation on the rumor, stating that Facebook was being shut down on March 15, 2013 due to “overpopulation.”

In the past year alone we’ve had significant rumors claiming dates of March 2012, July 2012, March 2013, and now May 2013.

Weekly World News

Grocery store rag Weekly World News is one of the catalysts behind these rumors, and they continue to change the dates several times a year. Note that this is the same source for such ridiculous stories as “bat boy” and photos of presidents dining with aliens. Last year we cited an article at the following address:

http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/27321/facebook-will-end-on-july-15th/

This article no longer exists and now forwards to:

http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/27321/facebook-will-end-on-ma-15th/

This is the exact same article we cited last year, but with the date in the article now changed to May 15, 2013.

Some Facebook posts include the following official-looking news report, which quotes the phony Weekly World News story:

PALO ALTO CA – 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 May 15th, users will no longer be able to access their Facebook accounts.

Another variant reads:

PALO ALTO, CA –Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will be shut down in May of 2013. Managing the site has become too stressful.

Not Official

There are no credible reports or announcements regarding Facebook shutting down on May 15, or any other date for that matter.

As we stated last year… we’re all still stuck with Zuck.

If you see someone spreading this rumor, please link to this article to set them straight!