Facebook's use of people's privacy is often debated. In an article on theweek.com you'll find that there is some controversy against how Facebook is tracing our internet movements. How can they do that? Well, the webpages that have "like" buttons from Facebook make it possible to trace your movement. Do we see the beginning of a misuse behavior from Zuckerberg & co? According to Arturo Bejar Facebook is watching you, because they want to protect you from spamming and phishing. But are they stepping over a line? On the Facebook page below the headline "Safety and privacy" it says; Facebook is focused on giving people control over their experience so they can express themselves freely in the way they intend.
That is all good, but is lack of privacy the price you pay? Los Angeles Times says that Facebook is setting record in finding new ways to use their consumer's personal data. The weird part of this is that we have allowed them to do so. How, do you say? By agreeing to the terms of service we have allowed them to use our personal data as they wish. This you tube video even suggest that Facebook is connected to CIA. Why not? Everything is possible, and I wouldn't be surprised at all, if it is correct.
If you are a private person, you shouldn't use Facebook. The information they get from their users are; your name, phone number, email-address, ip-adresses, what webpages you are using, what kind of operation system your computer are using and if you logged in Facebook while logging into your computer, they even know your computers id. The worst part is that they even can find your exact position. In some ways it's better not knowing. Let's hope their information never fall in the wrong hands. I can't really do anything else than to trust that Zuckerberg don't misuse my privacy. Can you?
The ever expanding information pool at Facebook, with a special place reserved for you and me, can indeed be disquieting. No question about it. And let's not forget; Facebook's sleepless eye isn't the only one fixed at you. Think Google. These are the giants gazing down at you. Intimidating, sure, but scale aside; Why does Facebook want to know so much about you?
SvarSlettWell, if you think about it, there are actually perfectly valid reasons for collecting most (if not all) of that info. They need to access your photos to show them to your "friends". They need to access your IP to keep your account safe. They need to know what page you chose to "Share on Facebook" in order to actually share it on Facebook. I could go on, but the bottom line is: It wouldn't have been a hit if there was a strict privacy policy.
And hey, you wanted this. And you wanted it to be so easy to use your mom could manage (she's on Facebook, isn't she?).
In fact, without knowing it, you and I were both just yearning for the social web - and in particular Facebook. The sheer number of users are a testament to that. And of course: It had to be free of charge!
But it's kinda hard to make something as smooth and easy-to-use as Facebook, AND make it our free lunch, without stepping into a whole new dimension of privacy policy.
Yes. The price we pay is sharing some information about ourselves. Me - I won't be losing any sleep, but if adjusting your cyberspace comfort zone trips you out ... Well, the "sign out" button is right there for your clicking pleasure. :)