We aren't saying Facebook is bad. We use it. We're all about helping individuals make the most of it while still being aware of the level of personal information they, and their friends, are giving out.
Facebook exploded in mid-2007. It absolutely exploded. The company had to be seen as a commercial entity; one that could make money. Targeted advertising is the key!
In November 2007, there was a massive brouhaha about Facebook privacy –and rightly so. Project Beacon launched, and it broadcast certain user habits (primarily buying items) to other friends via the news feed without asking for permission. This ruined several people's Christmas shopping surprises. The Beacon feature tracked what you were doing on Facebook partner sites while still logged on to Facebook.
Initially, the Beacon feature was touted as being opt-in. That is, you would be asked if you wanted a certain action to be published to the news feed. But when Beacon launched, it was distinctly opt-out. People found their actions being broadcast to practically all and sundry – the equivalent of a camera behind your shoulder, recording your every move!
Around 44 partner sites, including ticket vendor Fandango and Coca-Cola, initially signed up to Beacon. Within days, there was a huge outcry. Without going into all the details, you can read the apology from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The company backtracked and made Beacon opt-in again, and also gave people the option to turn it off altogether.
However, the young company would not have backtracked were it not from the tens of thousands of people who caused a massive outcry –ironcically by joining a protest group on Facebook.
So, how to make sure your actions aren't being dispensed to everyone? For more of the dirt on Beacon, check out the FAQ and the Wikipedia entry ... make sure you have turned Beacon off by going to Privacy > Applications > Settings within Facebook.
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