What to do...

[redshinma]

So I wanted more info on the whole Facebook privacy issue that has come up. Part of my job is network security so I also have a proffesional interest in this. So far I have found nothing to tell me this mess is all a big confusion about some update to their privacy policy. Want an example? Do a Google search for "zuckerberg called facebook users

Comments

I'm confused

[unicornpearlz]

I locked everything when I first signed up - except some things that I just don't care if people know (like my city/state/high school)
- in fact, I like that Facebook allows you to ignore someone, which LJ doesnt.

So why is everyone so surprised by this? I just assume that the government is watching everything we do and say and that anything can come back on us, and post accordingly...

I'm so confused about why this is a big thing. 'splain?

Re: I'm confused

[jtdiii]

They regularly unlock as they add new features and change the privacy page to be more sharing.

They make it very hard to not share data, most of the choices are to opt-out of a program, which means that all of your data has already been shared by the point you discover the permissions have been changed.

Facebook is now sharing all of your data with partners such as: http://developers.facebook.com/showcase/
See the folowing page for more info: http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/Understanding_User_Data_and_Privacy

In many cases you have to go to each partner and remove your "Permission" for them to access your facebook data.

Re: I'm confused

[jtdiii]

And a longer list of their partners...

http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/User:Facebook_Connect_Live_Sites

Re: I'm confused

[beckishadow]

I recently went to CNN.com when I wasn't logged into FB, and it brought up a sidebar about which articles certain friends liked. As in, it pulled my friends information up and then used it to specifically advertise to me, when I wasn't logged into either site.

Re: I'm confused

[jtdiii]

That is what the new program allows... Their partners can spot a shared cookie on your computer that IDs you and allows them to access the Facebook database about you and your friends, and what all of you are reading/buying/talking about.

Re: I'm confused

[unicornpearlz]

and considering the other stuff floating out there because people have paypal accounts, the Facebook stuff just doesn't freak me out

Re: I'm confused

[jtdiii]

There is a slight difference...

A paypal link allows a user to select to give that merchant data about the user at the time the transaction occurs.

With the new Facebook program, data about the user and their friends is given to a web page the moment the user navigates to it.

Re: I'm confused

[unicornpearlz]

except for the fact that paypal sells your personal information about everything you buy and services rendered - I know because I receive items and advertisements in the mail, through text and in my email that I didn't sign up for - regarding similiar products and services

So, to me - it's all the same. You sign up for x - x sells your information. I mean on facebook at least you have to navigate to a page...

Re: I'm confused

[unicornpearlz]

Re: unlocking features

Re: I'm confused

[jtdiii]

http://mattmckeon.com/facebook-privacy/

If you check the enclosed link, you will see how the availability of user data changed over time. With each one of those changes, the privacy settings changed and the new sharing levels were automatically set to the most permissive. The ones you had already set might not have changed, but all of the new ones gave away all of your data until you noticed a change.

Re: I'm confused

[unicornpearlz]

okay - obviously you and I have had different experiences, as - like I said - I check regularly and have never seen a channge...and on new things, I've never seen anything I didn't approve of or leave like it was.

And as for PayPal-not only have I lost hundreds of dollars, I know other who have lost their entire life savings. Not only that but I know for a fact my credit card information has been once lost (phone call about it) and 4x sold - due to letters I've received and odd charges. So... for the record THAT is what I worry about for me. Advertisors knowing where I am and what I'm interested in - I appreciate it, now maybe I'll get less crap and more things I can use. And other people knowing, I've assumed that it's been going on for about 7 years So, I've already been through this panic.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. For it is obvious that neither of us as being swayed.

A little info about paypal

[unicornpearlz]

I mean really - if people are going to worry about things - maybe their credit card information and/or SSN should be some of them
http://www.aboutpaypal.org/paypal_lawsuit