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Big Brother has added you as a friend on Facebook

Posted by Rob on Nov 30, 2007 - 12:32 pm

The New York Times reports that some Facebook users have begun to protest “Beacon,” a new feature on the site that inserts information about users’ online purchases into the News Feed.

Within the last 10 days, more than 50,000 Facebook members have signed a petition objecting to the new program, which sends messages to users’ friends about what they are buying on Web sites like Travelocity.com, TheKnot.com and Fandango. The members want to be able to opt out of the program completely with one click, but Facebook won’t let them.

As of right now, users are not allowed to opt out of this feature. I don’t know how I feel about this. I don’t think I want to know what all of my friends are buying online. It’s only a matter of time before I see that “Jeff has purchased a pair of ass-less leather chaps from TheAdultToyShoppe.com."

How do you feel about this new-fangled feature? Let us know what you think.

[New York Times]

Tags: facebook, privacy, advertising, | 2 Comments

Facebook not as secure as we think

Posted by Kelly on Mar 27, 2008 - 11:28 am

Despite new measures to increase security and privacy on Facebook, a loophole was discovered by Byron Ng, who was then able to view photo albums that were supposedly set to private.  He even accessed photos of Paris Hilton and her brother, Barron Hilton.  When the Associated Press used Ng’s method, they were able to view a photo album published by Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg- and if he can’t be assured of his privacy, how should the rest of us feel?

Tags: facebook, | 1 Comment

honey, i think we need to change our status to 'it's complicated'

If it’s not on Facebook, it’s not official

Posted by Kelly on Apr 05, 2008 - 07:56 pm

It’s a widely accepted notion that if a relationship isn’t posted on facebook, it doesn’t exist.  Being on facebook means the two people have discussed their relationship and want everyone to know.  A recent Newsweek article raises many issues, like how soon is too soon to request a facebook relationship change.  Hint, to the guy who requested a relationship after the first kiss, that’s too soon.  And creepy.

Many people also want new facebook relationship options.  ‘It’s Complicated’ and ‘Engaged’ were not original options (bet you didn’t know that, freshmen) and people want even more options, such as “has [insert name] wrapped around his/her finger.” One woman interviewed wanted the capability to list all of the people you are dating.  Ouch, that’s a hard way to break the news. 

Think about getting that email: the guy you thought was totally into you wants to confirm that you are, in fact, in a relationship, just as he is in a relationship with 4 other girls.  My apologies.

Tags: facebook, relationships, | Comment

Limited Facebook for Israeli soldiers

Posted by Kelly on Apr 14, 2008 - 07:47 pm

Pop quiz: if you were part of the Israeli military, would you they - A) be happy or B) be pissed - if you posted photos of yourself with weapons that are classified information?  If you guessed B, you are correct.  The new rules state that soldiers can have profiles, as long as they do not say that they are soldiers.  This includes all Defense Ministry employees as well.  With Facebook considered a “national threat,” they seem to be taking many precautions.

I’m sorry, but how dumb are these people?  I’m not just talking about the Israelis- looking through my friends on Facebook I can see pictures of the guys fighting for us with their weapons on display in pictures.  Think the American government limit or ban Facebook next?

Tags: facebook, military, | 1 Comment