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

[word_geek]

This is why I've never signed up for Facebook in the first place. I used to think that the company just didn't understand Internet privacy. Now I suspect that they're actively opposed to the concept.

[aquafolius]

I left it at the end of January, and except for a few moments (like finding out a close friend was engaged two months after the fact, which was a breach of etiquette on her part, not mine) I've never been happier about my online stuff.

[foldedfish]

For information that could be used for identity theft (addresses, birthday, email), it's not good if that gets made public. That should be hidden -- and I've always had that info hidden or left it blank. And the FB interface (or lack thereof) for controlling privacy settings is annoying.

But I feel like the reaction is a bit strong to people concerned that "their info" is being made public... when many of them already have a public blog, public Twitter, public Flickr page, and so on. Why is it okay to blog that you like Slushees, but if your Facebook profile tells the world that you like Slushees, OMG FACEBOOK IS EVIL?

[unicornpearlz]

yea, I agree!

[kenjari]

For the most part, I agree. However, I do think that FB has demonstrated a rather cavalier attitude towards privacy that can be a little troubling. Whenever they make changes to the way they handle information access and privacy, they default to Everyone. For those of us with abusive exes and/or stalkers, that can be a more serious problem. (yes, you can block people on FB, but that could be pretty easy to get around if the info can't be protected in other ways)

[ulfhirtha]

Which is one reason why I have as little information on FB (or LJ) as possible, and why I don't post much at all.

(I have other concerns about the intimacy-numbing effect of "socializing at a distance", too)

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.