Are Facebook Users Losing Too Much Privacy?

by SodaHead News Posted 2012/07/15 17:17:05

Related Topics: Facebook, Privacy, Groups, Views, Likes, facebook stalking, Old Photos, Posts

461 votes
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	Yes	382 votes	83%
	No	79 votes	17%

Attention all Facebookers: Tell us if you've heard this before. Your online privacy on the world's largest social network is dwindling. Well, here we go again.

On July 12, Facebook added a new feature to its site--tracking who has seen group posts. In other words, if you go on a group, click on a note they posted, and then log off, your name will be listed as one of the users that saw that post.

LinkedIn.com has similar feature, telling users who has viewed their own profiles, but that social network is known more as a job search site for professionals. Over the years, Facebook has gone from a fun and easy way to connect with family, friends, colleagues to an online giant that dictates how the information you provide to the site is used. And not everyone is happy about that.

Personalized advertisements geared towards users, the recent Facebook timeline revamp, and the fact friends can see what you "Liked" and more, have led to controversy. While the Facebook feature is limited to groups, it is not out of the realm of possibility that it could extend to your timeline. Sure, knowing who viewed the pictures you posted in 2007 might be kind of cool, but what if you're just browsing around? Do you want your name popping up everywhere? It looks like Facebook stalking could be on the outs.

+16

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jrci1 2012/07/15 17:32:34 (edited)

Yes

+10
facebook is just a place now were people cry about everything

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More polls by SodaHead News

Kigan 2012/07/16 12:52:18

Yes

+1
And no matter how many Facebook users report their concern and how many leave, Zuckerberg doesn't care.

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Griegg 2012/07/16 12:49:21

Yes

Heard it before. It is to be expected.

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Beef 2012/07/16 12:24:41

Yes

There's a difference between losing privacy and giving it away to the biggest social networking site for free.

Also, props on the "Connect with Facebook" button. Way to promote anonymity at an opinion site.

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TKramar to Beef 2012/07/16 19:04:57

Why do people feel the need to be anonymous?

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Beef to TKramar 2012/07/16 20:14:11

+3
You should be anonymous around people you don't know. Failing to do so leads to exploitation. Social engineering is the easiest thing anymore. Give me a day and I could give you years of information on one person.

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TKramar to Beef 2012/07/16 21:45:32

And that information isn't valuable, that's why I'm willing to give it up freely.

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AbDoU 2012/07/16 11:45:45

No

+1
It's the internet and it's your profile so it's up to putting informations and there are Privacy Settings :D

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Wyveryx 2012/07/16 11:44:31

Yes

+1
when it's a peck and hunt to find privacy for each individual item, app, in FB, then it's too easy to miss something.
Now with more and more ads invading the space, hell yes they're loosing too much privacy.

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Rebellion 2012/07/16 11:04:01

Yes

Their privacy was lost when facebook opened. All emotions, jerkiness, and stupidity, have been transformed to facebook posts.

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Rocko 2012/07/16 10:57:19

No

i dont browse and if my friends and family know what i liked im not clear why that's a problem ??

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Simmering Frog 2012/07/16 08:03:48

Yes

+1
Yes, but think about this......you're putting all your private information on the internet. What the hell were you expecting? Nobody to notice?

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Sintwa 2012/07/16 07:49:32

Yes

+1
FaceBook also implements two cookies into your browser. One for one time visitors, and one from your account. Any page with a FaceBook widget (such as a "Like" button or "Share" is immediately linked and tracked with your account with the second widget, while the first (since you didn't log in) tracks popular pages. Unless you have your cookies cleared every time you close your browser, imagine all those pages you've visited with that stupid widget every time after your first log in. Basically no matter what you've seen on the internet, if it's got the widget and those cookies are sitting in your browser, FaceBook knows you've visited. Have fun watching porn with the "Like" on the side!

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MlssCue =Go Blue= 2012/07/16 07:40:04

No

Yes & no, but the best thing you can do it make everything private that you can. At the same time I don't think it's necessary to let my friends know what I am doing every moment I am on FB.

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Resp 2012/07/16 06:22:31

Yes

+1
The FBI uses Facebook more than their own records! Facebook makes millions on YOUR private information.

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jewels2... to Resp 2012/07/17 02:38:40

they dont really make millions because they figure they OWN it, they work for people much bigger then them, I think Facebook makes millions because they allowed the infiltration and that is their reward under the table, but they are not making money off of you or I, its more about Facebook making money due to selling out and handing over personal data in the name of National Security. It is the Feds that have that data. They study that data, they want into the minds of the members, more so then their money.

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Resp to jewels2... 2012/07/17 02:45:55

I disagree with some of you comment. The ads on face book can target a certain demographic and age group. The Facebook membership is roughly 700 million users.

Ad rates are a very large part of revenue for Facebook. Facebook also charges fees for private information if Law Enforcement requests or subpoenas that information.

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jewels2... to Resp 2012/07/21 23:08:29

fair enough on your reply, I'm not that into understanding all that facebook is about, but only about certain areas of their use for it in regards to outside data collection. take care

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Don Leuty 2012/07/16 06:22:06

Yes

Tanstaafl. You have to pay for a service one way or the other.

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Stan Weinstein 2012/07/16 05:51:55

Yes

+1
I keep finding all these strangers on my Facebook page. People keep tagging me in photos that I'm not even in. I don't know what the hells going on anymore. I think I'll be dropping out soon.

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lavrik 2012/07/16 05:28:33

Yes

+1
Absolutely yes. "Facebook privacy" is an oxymoron. Kinda like "military intelligence", or "Congressional budget". LOL.

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dustcircle 2012/07/16 05:13:18

Yes

When another option besides the controlling Google+ comes along, I'm there.

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lavrik to dustcircle 2012/07/16 05:32:52

+1
I fail to see how Google+ is controlling...

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jman1248 to lavrik 2012/07/16 16:14:45

+1
I fail to see how it is not.

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Mallory 2012/07/16 04:49:35

Yes

+1
The GPS on my phone automatically posts where I am when I make a post. I wasn't even noticing.

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angel face 2012/07/16 04:40:18

Yes

+2
People could stalk you and you wouldnt even know now. Its creepy. I wish they would stop adding new features because the features are starting to drive some people away

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strawberry 2012/07/16 03:02:28

No

+2
It depends how much personal information a member of Facebook decides to disclose. Facebook offers a section to put what information a member wants to, and click for public or just friends. Why bother going online if you want to hide everything.? If I give my opinions, on different topics I do this for public information.

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Marcus Clark 2012/07/16 02:57:21

No

+2
It's the internet, stupid! If you want it to be private, don't post it.

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tommyg - POTL- PWCM-JLA 2012/07/16 02:41:24

Yes

We are all losing to much privacy.

FB users just openly ask for it I guess.

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drdos1943 2012/07/16 02:39:46 (edited)

Yes

After having all the contacts in my email account with Yahoo twice stolen by a hacker targeting Face Book, that was what prompted me to cancel my Face Book account. All the pertinent security and privacy boxes were checked.

However, on the bright side, to many of my friends, I am now the top purveyor of Viagra in the U.S. :-)

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realist 2012/07/16 02:07:23

Yes

Interested to know what benefits they are driving through making this change specifically?

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Gangstersteve1993 2012/07/16 02:03:06

Yes

Why would you want your name to be shown everywhere as that would make you drive up against the wall and it is called privacy for a reason.

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Kitsune Touhou 2012/07/16 01:43:02

No

I really don't care.

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Stan Kapusta 2012/07/16 01:30:00

Yes

That's what happens when the rich can't suck any money out of it. If Zuckerman shared a big piece of the pie He'd be considered a Genius in the eyes of the media.

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terry.johnson.7792 2012/07/16 01:15:51

No

+2
you can't expect to have privacy on something called a social network, they have changed but you should take steps to limit who sees your info and don't write it if you don't want it seen. if it get worse I'll quit although I would miss some friends I have no other contact with.

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JeanLouiseCollins 2012/07/16 01:04:16

No

+3
no one forces me to sit at my computer and write.I don't hide my identity..what is the big deal stay off if you are afraid !!

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Garciataria 2012/07/16 01:00:21

Yes

YEAH! I don't want people knowing I ate a burger while pantsless last Wednesday!

Wait...

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hasher 2012/07/16 00:39:38

No

+2
but if you post too much persoanl crap on here about yourself youre just asking for trouble.

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Dogzebra 2012/07/16 00:38:49

Yes

And the banter of virtual friends is so phony. I dropped out several years ago, then tried to reunite with some relatives last year, but it was all so phony with the garbage games and stuff that kept popping up, so I left it again.

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Persephone 2012/07/16 00:28:35

No

+2
My profile is friends only and I even have a few people on my restricted list, meaning they only see what I want. Facebook isn't responsible for 'our' lack of privacy, we're the ones putting private stuff there.

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Michael=Constitution & Liberty 2012/07/16 00:19:13

Yes

and your dumb ass app. for FB makes you just as guilty, you pathetic fcks :)

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