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Okay, I guess I'm the contrarian here, but I'm not sure why any of this is surprising, or even a problem. Facebook users signed up for a free service that allo

Okay, I guess I'm the contrarian here, but I'm not sure why any of this is surprising, or even a problem. Facebook users signed up for a free service that allows them to communicate with other people in an enjoyable manner. Facebook even went so far as to make it so enjoyable it's addictive. Free online crack. Facebook users, you're having your fun. What would you expect Facebook to do to finance all this? They're selling the shit out of you. They sell you sideways to Sunday, then sell your Mom, too. Why would you be upset, or even surprised? Facebook should be able to do whatever they want with your data if you're gullible enough to use their free service.

zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
Yeah, I can't figure it out either ... what could possibly be wrong with giving drugs to an addict? They agreed to becoming an addict, so why shouldn't I profit from their inability to protect themselves?
babygoat 9y ago
You're clearly satisfied with yourself for not being a Facebook user, but your comment has no bearing on the article. Do you have an opinion on Zuckerberg refusing to admit any of this?
mindslight 9y ago
So while your point was apt at the beginning of Faceboot's existence, at this point in time most everybody has been "gullible enough to use their free service". So the only current applicability of your point that anything Faceboot does is fine based on the idea that their users have consented in perpetuity. Your point also does nothing to address the surveillance that Faceboot performs on people without accounts, or data they glean from sources other than explicit Faceboot usage.
pwinnski 9y ago
So-called "shadow profiles" are built for people who are not even Facebook users. I do not have a Facebook account, and yet my friends and family members have been prompted to tag photos of me with my name. I did not sign up for a free service. I am not a Facebook user, I'm not "having my fun." And yet Facebook has collected enough of a profile on me to recognize my face in photos and know who my friends and family are.
- boobsbr 9y ago
  Is it a crime to hire a PI to tail someone and log their every move? Online tracking is basically the same thing.
  - pwinnski 9y ago
    Depending on the state, I believe it can be. Many states have "stalking" laws preventing just the sort of behavior Facebook engages in as part of their business plan. In most (or all?) states, PIs are licensed and also have limitations on what they're allowed to do. There is currently no license for Facebook, nor any limits that they recognize.

zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago

Yeah, I can't figure it out either ... what could possibly be wrong with giving drugs to an addict? They agreed to becoming an addict, so why shouldn't I profit from their inability to protect themselves?

babygoat 9y ago

You're clearly satisfied with yourself for not being a Facebook user, but your comment has no bearing on the article. Do you have an opinion on Zuckerberg refusing to admit any of this?

mindslight 9y ago

So while your point was apt at the beginning of Faceboot's existence, at this point in time most everybody has been "gullible enough to use their free service". So the only current applicability of your point that anything Faceboot does is fine based on the idea that their users have consented in perpetuity. Your point also does nothing to address the surveillance that Faceboot performs on people without accounts, or data they glean from sources other than explicit Faceboot usage.

pwinnski 9y ago

So-called "shadow profiles" are built for people who are not even Facebook users. I do not have a Facebook account, and yet my friends and family members have been prompted to tag photos of me with my name. I did not sign up for a free service. I am not a Facebook user, I'm not "having my fun." And yet Facebook has collected enough of a profile on me to recognize my face in photos and know who my friends and family are.

boobsbr 9y ago
Is it a crime to hire a PI to tail someone and log their every move? Online tracking is basically the same thing.
- pwinnski 9y ago
  Depending on the state, I believe it can be. Many states have "stalking" laws preventing just the sort of behavior Facebook engages in as part of their business plan. In most (or all?) states, PIs are licensed and also have limitations on what they're allowed to do. There is currently no license for Facebook, nor any limits that they recognize.