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Facebook users complain of new tracking

MATT HARTLEY

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 11:35 PM EDT 22/11/07

Privacy complaints raised after pop-up alert automatically sends information to friends unless user opts out within brief window ...Read the full article

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  1. Keen Observer from Toronto, Canada writes: An increasing number of my friends have been withdrawing from Facebook, and this piece illustrates exactly why.

    I'm now reevauating my own participation. My trust level with Facebook just plummeted.
  2. the catholic church from Canada writes: This will only end when someone (or several someones, as a class action) decides to sue Facebook for defamation or invasion of privacy, as I'm sure will happen eventually given the strategy they've been following. Can't wait to see Facebook disappear from the web.
  3. doron dinovitzer from Canada writes: I think the globe should add a facebook bookmark button at the bottom of this article and let the bad news spread. That'll teach Facebook!
  4. C C from Canada writes: A lot of people here haven't been poked lately. When these articles pop up, the Facebook haters come out of the closet in full force....
  5. Nature Lover from Two Hills, Canada writes: One of the many reasons I will never join facebook. I'm sure no one will miss me in cyberspace anyway, but they have more time with me in real life.
  6. Terry Terry from Brantford, Canada writes: I'm neither a Facebook-hater, as CC referred to, or a Facebook lover. Generally I'm pretty unaware of Facebook, but it strikes me as weird that people in droves go on the internet to post profiles and exchange all kinds of trite information with God-knows-who and then act surprised that their privacy has been invaded. ... and don't get me started on blogs. "And today I wore brown socks and had boiled potatoes with my dinner..." Maybe there's to much me-me-me out there for our own good.
  7. C C from Canada writes: "but it strikes me as weird that people in droves go on the internet to post profiles and exchange all kinds of trite information with God-knows-who and then act surprised that their privacy has been invaded."

    I think you confused MySpace with FaceBook already. Completely different privacy protocols. The term "friend" is used much more liberally on MySpace.

    The article is much ado about nothing. It makes it seem like Facebook is some giant privacy-invading black hole. Some internet common sense would eliminate any such privacy problems regardless of whether you use social networking websites or not.
  8. Ralph Hicks from Canada writes: While I'm not a Facebook user, if I were I'd be furious at this "innovation". What dismays me is the fact that if the user ignores the two confirmation pop-ups without "opting out" then the user's consent is presumed. This policy simply ignores the reality of modern browsers which allow users to block pop-ups. If my browser blocks the confirmation pop-ups, Facebook will broadcast this information without my consent. I consider this policy to be utterly unacceptable. I would discontinue the use of any service which engages in such presumptuous behaviour.
  9. Sam G from Toronto, Canada writes: Gestapo would be proud of Mr. Zuckerberg's inventions.
  10. A Smith from Canada writes: Terry Terry from Brantford, Canada writes: "but it strikes me as weird that people in droves go on the internet to post profiles and exchange all kinds of trite information with God-knows-who and then act surprised that their privacy has been invaded. ... "

    So long as you go into the privacy setting on Facebook and change everything to "Only Friends", and even some categories as not allow anyone, then the privacy of Facebook is just as good as having your name in the phone book.

    What boggles my mind are people who join a Facebook network, but don't change their privacy settings. Are they aware that everyone in that network can see EVERYTHING. That's a problem when a person joins the Toronto,ON network; everyone in the Toronto network can see everything about you! So do yourself a favour and change everything to "ONLY FRIENDS"

    As for usefulness of facebook, it's good to keep in touch with friends. Without having to stay in constant contact with them. I wouldn't close my Facebook account.
  11. P G from Canada writes: This short video also makes you think twice about putting personal info Facebook, even without this Beacon tracking device:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZMWz3G%5FgPhU
  12. Some Guy from Canada writes: This is just a stupid stupid stupid business decision. Facebook and Beacon are just alienating people this way. What bunch of morons are running that site? Stupid
  13. Green Mile from Canada writes: I use facebook but, as A Smith reccomends, I have set all of the privacy options to keep unwanted eyes off my page. Even then I am very careful about what is posted on my page. I see what some of my friends and family allow to be posted, or post themselves, on their site. I have thought of logging off altogether but then, with no cell phone also, I would really be lost in this modern world.
  14. Rollo Tomasi from Belgium writes: I experimented with Facebook for a month until the spike in spam was so high I had to make my account dormant (one can never get rid of their account). Three months later I'm down to a dozen spam a day.

    Other thing is that sexual predators patrol facebook. Why would you expose your kids to this unnecessary risk?
  15. Sam Snead from Canada writes: Never understood why people use things like facebook ... unless you really want to broadcast information or product to a lot of people. All information you provide to these sites is not protected in anyway of significance and there is no liability should facebook breach any of their own "rules". The other concern is that a lot of the servers and data are located in the US subject to US laws etc.

    If you choose to use these services, you should never input any real personal information of any type.
  16. Mike *** from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada writes: Does anyone on a public network intended to share personal information with others - like facebook - have a reasonable expectation of privacy?
  17. Stewart Mawdsley from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada writes: Bottom line, if you don't want people to know about your business, don't post it on the Internet!!! Caveat emptor people
  18. Some Guy from Canada writes: This isn't about people actively putting their info online. It's a passive system that broadcasts your purchases if you do not opt out. As another commenter mentioned, the system is flawed because people use ad-blocking web browsers. Effectively, it does not ask you for permission before telling other people what you bought online at another website. Such an implementation is bad for business, period, because it has a chilling effect on people who shop over the internet.
  19. Ziad Fazel from Calgary, Canada writes: How to leave Facebook:

    http://www.wikihow.com/Quit-Facebook

    Even when you deactivate after "deleting" everything, if you log in again with your email address and password, your account is automatically reactivated. Just like a regular login. With everything you left behind. You don't have to go through any procedure, or build anything over.

    That is why you have to "delete" everything. I put that in quotes because it only deletes your presence from all the currently visible pages you marked, in your profile, and those of other people and networks.

    Everything you entered since you joined is captured in backup drives and tapes forever, by FaceBook and the applications you joined.

    Goodbye Facebook. Better never than now, and better now than later.
  20. Akbar M from Regina, Canada writes: Correct me if I'm wrong but this is only applicable to those who purchase things from within their facebook page from ads placed in facebook. I don't see how facebook could know about any purchases I make online if I don't make them within facebook.
  21. Canadian Pom from London, United Kingdom writes: I'm struggling to find details on this, and to be honest, this article doesn't really help. How do these other sites know that you're also using facebook? Is this tracking only done if you're buying things via facebook links?

    I use facebook a fair amount, and purchase things online regularly, but I've not encountered this tracking issue at all. Perhaps I'm shopping at the wrong (or rather, the right) online stores? Can anyone point to further detail on how all of this works?
  22. Rebel Prince from Berlin, Germany writes: I agree with Canadian Pom. The article is imprecise about critical details. Gives one the impression that the journalist doesn't quite understand what he's writing about.

    Does this facebook tracking and publication of your online purchases only occur when you click on ads within facebook? Or otherwise, as well?
  23. Ed Bean from PanicVille ON, Canada writes: I wish my life and data was more interesting. Everyone seems to be doing such exciting stuff like going to work, being always 'busy', coming home from work, sitting in their rooms in front of computer screen, complaining about everything, writing stupid comments to stupid news articles, going on msn or whatever. Facebook is the future - these quirks are just people getting used to having no life and no privacy - it will pass and if you dont use it you can sit in a cupboard on your own.
  24. G S from Toronto, Canada writes: Do you people sweep your homes for bugs placed in lamp shades by the commie-pinko’s??? Do you wear glasses that allow you to see who is following you?

    I have never seen so much rhetoric on fear and paranoia in my life.

    Facebook is whatever you make it out to be. If you want it to be social and open, you do so &8211; if you want it to be private and quiet, do that - or settle somewhere in the middle. For the fearful ones out there &8211; don&8217;t join, and leave it to the people that actually want to have fun with it. Facebook has been accused of having a privacy issue &8211; big deal. Microsoft, Winners, Air Miles&8230;.Pretty much every company that has embraced e-commerce and e-trade has already stumbled through a privacy issue already &8211; at least Facebook&8217;s didn&8217;t reveal pertinent financial information. The problem will be resolved, and we, the Facebook users will sleep better at night: You the Facebook nay-sayers will never sleep well again as thoughts of spies and foreign legions of soldiers attacking the fortress in which you sleep will cause the paranoia to continue and eat away at you.

    Sweet dreams all
  25. Gemma Callaway from Canada writes: This is definitely not acceptable... and I don't even have Facebook (although I'm considering getting an account). It does seem from the article like the sites you use send the info, regardless of whether you accessed them from facebook, but I'm not sure how..?

    Anyway, if you just google "how to block facebook beacon" there's a simple solution to block it.
  26. Keith Duguay from Toronto, writes: If you don't like this you should have read the terms of service when you signed up for Facebook. Facebook's a for-profit company and they're entire business is building a database of all our info and then selling it to advertisers. How else do you think they're a billion dollar company?
  27. John H from Canada writes: This is funny that users of Facebook, MSN MySpace and others think they are getting something for free. Don't worry. Santa is real too. A company worth millions is just being nice to you...
  28. b mac from Canada writes: When there is no wood to chop, no chickens to kill and clean, no eggs to bring in, no sawdust to put in the hopper, no soup to make or bread to bake and no need to help with others, what's left? A facebook user?
  29. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: Would you people think Facebook is getting kinda of Old?, a hippee friend says it was set up by the CIA? so they could track people. Now this story?
  30. M K from Canada writes: Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: Would you people think Facebook is getting kinda of Old?, a hippee friend says it was set up by the CIA? so they could track people. Now this story?

    Your hippie friend is an idiot, and if you believe him, so are you.
  31. Fred Petrie from Miramichi, NB, Canada writes: I visit Fasebook occasionally. I am a member of a few "groups" and I usually visit both of those groups when I am there.
    I respond to requests to be added as a "friend" and I simply do not respond to requests to "poke", "tickle" or whatever.
    I signed up with Facebook because I wanted to access the CTV Atlantic Group and I visit their discussion board, usually at least once per week.
    I do not buy anything through them and therefore do not worry aboout any "tracking" they may do. I'm pretty certain that they are only able to track someone's shopping habits WHEN someone uses their website and/or the links they provide.
    I also do take the time to read each and every TOS (Terms of Service) agreement before agreeing to their conditions on ANY website I visit.
    If the people who signed up for facebook did NOT read the TOS ... they should, as Ann Landers wou;d say, "kwitcherbitchin'" ... they have only themselves and their own laziness to blame!
  32. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: Stop crying and change your privacy settings, it's not hard.
  33. Cameron Boyer from Toronto, Canada writes: I still enjoy fb, but it is getting a tad silly with all these applications they add and this other feature sounds irritating. Yes I will change my privacy settings and no I won't buy anything through fb on my computer.
  34. RD Lone from Vancouver, Canada writes: $10 that Fred Petrie hasn't tried "Fasebook" before.
  35. John Ritchie from Canada writes: Ignorance, pure and simple. This only affects people who choose to install the 'Beacon' application, and even then only if they are too stupid to indicate 'No' when they are asked (twice!) whether or not they wish to have the purchases posted on their news feed.

    Frankly, if they are not aware that every site they visit on the web (including this one!) tracks what they look at, purchase, or type, then they shouldn't be entrusted with a keyboard and monitor anyway.

    As for the luddites who use this as an opportunity to sneer that they will "...never use Facebook..." and imply that those who do are idiots, I am pleased to learn that I will never have to endure the idiotic notifications I would, no doubt, receive from them if they ever did figure out how to log in. On behalf of Facebook users everywhere, I want to thank you for staying away.
  36. Phillip Patriotic from Homeandhearth, Canada writes: John Ritchie from Canada: Great post - I'm going to ask you to be my Facebook friend...don't worry, I don't subject my friends to those mindless newsfeed updates!
  37. Some Guy from Ottawa, Canada writes: Facebook also allowed search engines to mine and collect data on users with negative consent. That is, unless they opted not to allow the collection of their data, the mining was performed.

    These entities are going to learn the hard way that negative consent is not an acceptable way of adopting business practices or implementing new features.
  38. Alex Yaxmos from Canada writes: This is the start of the downfall of Facebook, it happen to Myspace after it got bought out and it is happening to Facebook.
  39. Some Guy from Ottawa, Canada writes: Further, there ought to be a reasonable expectation of privacy, even when sharing information on a global network of computers. Permissions must be achieved through an active response system. Facebook clearly is not interested in facilitating this. The caveat with Facebook is that it is a 'free' service provided by a business. A businesses whose primary goal is to make money and make money by offering 'free' services to the wider public.

    I agree with the posts above. The incessant badgering, that is spamming of friends with nuisance products and services is annoying. Facebook moved quickly from an interesting and novel tool to just another crappy web locale that advertises it's users to virtual death.
  40. elliot vine from toronto, Canada writes: People are so horribly ignorant.

    This things happen because people, WILLFULLY install facebook "add-on" programs. These add on programs naturally invade your privacy but then again you CHOOSE to add them to your profile. I havnt tried it myself but I imagine that this particular program needs to be added on and then when you shop at certain sites it broadcasts it to your friends. Similar to EVERYTHING else you do on facebook, Wow! If you havn't figured out by now that everything you do on facebook is broadcasted you really should not be allowed on the internet because you are probably downloading alot of viruses and ruining your computer anyway. (seems likely for the facebook demographic anyway).

    Just use facebook as it was originally meant to be used, turn up your privacy settings, turn off minifeed posts and dont add on every stupid little program that your friends find and you will not have any privacy problems. The program is fine, people are stupid. You wouldn't walk around a dark park at night why do you wonder around the internet without a clue.
  41. Jenn D from Gatineau, Canada writes: I'm just more concerned about all the crap applications on Facebook. I don't want to be a zombie and I don't care if any of my acquaintences are left brained, have visited Botswana or would like to see the latest coming of age comedy.

    This beacon thing appears to be just another in the long line of crap Facebook applications. Just don't install it.
  42. Lung Hacker from Canada writes: Akbar M from Regina, Canada writes: Correct me if I'm wrong but this is only applicable to those who purchase things from within their facebook page from ads placed in facebook. I don't see how facebook could know about any purchases I make online if I don't make them within facebook.
    _________________________________________

    I have an account at epicurious.com and the other day when I was adding recipes to my recipe collection, I kept getting messages popping up in the bottom corner of my screen telling me that the information was being sent to my Facebook news feed. I don't have any type of epicurious application installed; I wasn't even logged into Facebook. I believe it has something to do with your email address. Regardless, scary stuff. Facebook is a great, convenient tool for keeping in touch and keeping informed about friends and acquaintances, but if the price of reconnecting with my fifth grade best friend is that everyone I know can see everything I do online, then I'll pass.
  43. gordon foster from Canada writes: Did Microsoft really pay "240 million" for a "1.6 percent stake" in Facebook? That would value the whole company at around 15 billion dollars. It's factoids like this that cause me to question the veracity of an entire article. And just by the by, who expects online purchases to be private?
  44. John Ritchie from Canada writes: I stand (somewhat) humbled. After some research (which the original author of the article clearly didn't do enough of), it is clear that 'Beacon' is not a standalone application users must add to their account. Participating websites can link to the Facebook cookie file to transfer information concerning your web activity to your newsfeed. Facebook users can limit the information that appears in their newsfeeds, and security settings in any internet browser can limit access to the information in cookie files. In some respects, the 'Beacon' process is comforting. At least users (and their friends!) will know that two independent entities have collected and shared their information. Given the relatively simple means by which this information is shared, other sites must be able to do it without users' knowledge or consent. The posters who think that their internet usage is anonymous just because they don't use Facebook need a reality check. Myself, I'll take responsibility for my own online actions and adjust my Facebook profile and Windows security settings to match my own particular level of paranoia. I certainly am not naive enough to think Facebook is acting any differently than Google, Microsoft or any other internet entity (including globeandmail.com) when I knowingly and proactively provide them with personal information.
  45. Kevin Desmoulin from TO, Canada writes: M K from Canada writes: No need to be mean , Just saying what he thinks.
  46. Ralph Hicks from Canada writes: John Ritchie from Canada writes: Given the relatively simple means by which this information is shared, other sites must be able to do it without users' knowledge or consent.

    Yes they do, but it is unscrupulous behaviour. It is the sort of behaviour that one would expect from a porn site or a site hawking pirated software or pharmaceuticals of dubious origin (and in fact this is another excellent reason to avoid clicking on links in spam emails even if your only motivation is curiosity). A site with a legitimate purpose should refrain from engaging in this behaviour if they want to maintain credibility with their users. On the other hand, if a site wishes to exhibit the ethics of a low-life Internet porn huckster, go ahead and abuse the trust of your users.
  47. Paul who is from Vancouver, Canada writes: .
    MoveOn spokesman Adam Green: "People need to trust that when they use the Internet and sites like Facebook that their privacy will be respected."

    How stupid is that statement? People need to trust?

    People need to respect their own privacy by learning how to protect it
    online.

    Facebook isn't a charitible organisation and either is Microsoft.

    Last month Microsoft paid $240-million for a 1.6-per-cent stake in Facebook.

    Microsoft has been sniffing people's butts online for years and they
    didn't pay that kind of money to worry about people's online privacy now.

    Right now I'm blocking three third-party cookies that the G&M is trying to install onto my computer. CHANGE YOUR BROWSER SETTINGS.

    The Facebook/Microsoft/Beacon can easily be blocked.

    http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/11/09/how-to-block-facebook-beacon/

    BTW, for a good time, try putting your G&M username in "quotes" into Google and enjoy reading every comment you ever made in here.
  48. J V M from Canada writes: Ooooh. I like the facebook-beacon blocking add-on. Very pleasing.

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