Comments on: Facebook Privacy Issues? Blame Yourself.

By: Jimmy Ipock

Jimmy Ipock — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:56:30 +0000

I’m completely ok with FB sharing my info. I don’t really expect to get something for free. If they provide a service (and they do) then I’m ok with them using what I’ve provided them to make some money..

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:25:12 +0000

@Steve: What you are describing is how Facebook “should” work — and with that, I agree. The problem is, as Facebook has shown, they can (and often do) change the way their security works at will. Facebook is a fun site that most of us spend way too much playing around on, but as I said in my original post, don’t forget how Facebook is making all those millions of dollars — by selling ads to companies who get to target directly to you, based on the information they get from Facebook about you (some of which we knowingly give to them, some of which we don’t). While it may feel like what information you share and what information you don’t share on Facebook is under your control, it really isn’t. Those little sliders that say “do share this” and “don’t share that” only work as well as they are programmed; each time someone figures out a way to circumvent those security controls, there’s a possibility that information you didn’t want shared will become public. I’m not saying don’t use Facebook; what I am saying is, if you post things on Facebook that could end your marriage, sever a friendship, or get you fired (or arrested), banking on Facebook to keep that information private is a pretty risky bet.

By: Joshua R.

Joshua R. — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:53:01 +0000

Spokeo’s info on me is so wrong it is laughable. They are not even close.

By: steve

steve — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:48:37 +0000

"But if you absolutely donâ€t want it shared, stop sharing it." I have to disagree as that completely destroys the point of making a facebook page. The purpose of facebook from a users perspective is to share stuff with friends. So what you are saying is if you don't want marketers to know about it, then don't share it, which completely negates the point of facebook. Which makes facebook a future crash and burn. All Facebook has to do is give complete control of who sees what to its users and all the privacy problems go away. Sure, if people are dumb enough to post email addresses, SSN's and other sensitive data they get what they deserve. But the rest of it IS facebooks fault. It is not Facebook's nor some brain-dead marketer's business what music I like and it creeps me out if I see an ad on my FB page about it and it should creep you out as well. Then again, I don't ever click on ads, or use them to make a decision to buy anything(but they have caused me to NOT buy something). If you want to share your favorite music with your friends, and you use the music category, facebook does NOT allow you to hide it from anyone. That is why Facebook is wrong.

By: Dean

Dean — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:05:22 +0000

Netflix, Xbox Live. stuff you think is respected ends up here:-

http://www.spokeo.com

try it.. if you want to know address, phone numbers, income, how many cats they got and so on…

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:48:16 +0000

As someone who grew up modeming, I learned almost 30 years ago not to give out private information. It seems odd to me that people are just learning that lesson now. Of course back then if I were to give out my real name or my phone number, the worst that would happen was someone would harass me. Nowadays, the stakes are higher — people are losing their jobs and ruining relationships. And even worse now, is Google. Even if you post something online that you later decide something is embarassing or harmful and remove it from the Internet, getting it removed from Google’s cache is another story altogether.

By: Felix

Felix — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:15:08 +0000

I am not sure where people got the idea that whatever you put out on the internet will be private. There are only a handful of sites that provide security and privacy. Other sites, it is up to the users what is out there and what isn’t. Yes, there are exceptions such as hacking ect, but that could happen to any site.

The people, on my friends list, that I see having the biggest reaction to FB privacy are the ones prone to knee jerk reactions. If they were to think about things, such as what you posted, we would all be better off.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:18:10 +0000

In my defense, we were 16 years old. You’re right, it wasn’t right, but it’s another example of brute-force attacks on security working. It is not right for all that malware on Facebook to try and steal our passwords and information, but it’s happening every day. The reason I told that story is to say that people should not depend on cheap security to protect their valuables, whether it’s cheap briefcase locks or Facebook’s security methods.

By: Herby HÃ¶nigsperger

Herby HÃ¶nigsperger — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:59:22 +0000

Re. "But if you absolutely donâ€t want it shared, stop sharing it." Couldn't agree with you more. If you don't want SOMEone to know, don't tell ANYone. It's really that simple. As for your briefcase analogy: Do.not.like! You broken open something that was not yours to begin with.