Facebook launched new permissions last Friday at 6:00 p.m. which give its applications access to user contact information like phone numbers and addresses. Users of the social networking website’s games and other applications now must click away their privacy and allow that application to have access to more personal information than ever.
Users can’t use the application unless they click and allow that application to have their contact information. There is no way to opt out from this, and all personal data is being treated as if it has the same value. Fans of Farmville that wish to continue playing Farmville must let Zynga obtain their phone number and address listed on their Facebook profile.
This requirement applies to all applications that want to use new features, including opportunistic developers who may be trying to obtain personal data to sell to third parties.
Industry observers say the new rule is equivalent to making a customer give away their address and telephone number to any telemarketer who calls, and note that when Facebook’s value skyrocketed, odds are good that Facebook began working harder to monetize any personal information it has from its 500 million users.
About David John Walker
Dave has a B.A. in Mathematics, loves writing and reading about the latest developments in technology and social media, and has been working as a freelance writer for five years.
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Well it is about time we have access to your personal details…. HoHoHo
“There is no way to opt out from this, and all personal data is being treated as if it has the same value.”
There’s two ways to opt out, either don’t use that application or don’t use Facebook.
If everybody stopped using Farmville because Zynga wanted their phone number/address then Zynga would change Farmville so that it doesn’t collect that information, it’s simple.
Joining this data harvesting website(facebook) is becoming one of life’s great regrets.
Almost as bad as Vodaphone in it’s future implications for financial and personal security.
At some stage members of both have to hope some legal rising star will find the means to start a class action against these data parasites.
All you have to do is remove your address and phone number from facebook. Why give them this information in the first place?
Think you have privacy on Facebook? Think again! is the most stupid ridiculous title ive seen, of coarse no one has privacy on facebook, people put status’es so everyone else can see and comment its far from private without all the above information to back it up.
you’re just confirming what everyone else in the world know already well done!
If you went to a hi-profile 5 star party at a friend of a friend’s house, and were notified at the door via a small card with lots of fine print and flashy pictures, that before entering you had to give, say, 5 to 10 important pieces of your personal information, would you do it?
Probably, because you would hardly notice that you were giving away information when you signed on the dotted line (i.e. logged in) amidst all the glamor and excitement and flashy pictures. Facebook, and the internet in general, it’s a fun, and interesting party, and I want to go. But sometimes I get thinking, the conditions are not just unfair, but as obnoxious as that dreaded telemarketer calling on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
“No, No, thank you not interested.” Click.
What many people know, is to use their privacy settings to allow only the friends on their ‘party list’ to view their information. Teens and beginning users are the most guilty for allowing everyone in the world on their site to view whatever they choose, including their pictures, addresses and phone numbers. Education on the disadvantages of not using the privacy settings wisely is essential. It appears to me that Chris, who posted his very obvious lack of education in his/her obnoxious, disrespectful comment on January 17th, either does not use his privacy settings or doesn’t care that his/her site is open for anyone to view. A good look at those settings might be a good after school project along with paying attention to his/her English assignments where he/she might learn a little about grammar and punctuation. And while online forums such as this, allow people to post their personal opinions, it is one of those “unwritten” rules that one must always be respectful of the the opinions and thoughts of others. Thank you, David, for explaining why the games I used to enjoy playing (Farmville not included) are now wanting in my personal business. Sadly, I’ve had to give them up for this very reason.
Bob’s post, above, gives a good solution to being allowed to play the games. However, I want my family and friends to have access to my address and phone numbers. And I don’t think Alan’s idea of litigation is the answer, sorry, Alan. I think Nathan’s solution would quietly, and without malice, get the idea across to the facebook developers that we like the games we play but not at the expense of our personal information being harvested for the sale block.
So, if that means that I can no longer accept the hugs and kisses, invitations to join important causes or play the games I once enjoyed, so be it. Maybe others will also get the idea. Change can, and will, happen…one person at a time.
Thank you David John Walker.
Carol