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Facebook could simply work around this. They don't have to use the official API. They probably scrape for AOL/Yahoo/Hotmail. They can do it for Gmail too. Then

by staunch 16y ago

Facebook could simply work around this. They don't have to use the official API. They probably scrape for AOL/Yahoo/Hotmail. They can do it for Gmail too. Then Google's only recourse would be to sue them. It'd be beautiful too because then we'd get to see Facebook argue in favor of what it doesn't itself allow.

abraham 16y ago
AOL, Yahoo, and Hotmail all provide contact APIs. The amount of traffic Facebook generates would be unmistakable and Google would just block them.
- staunch 16y ago
  With a large and diverse enough IP address pool they could probably get around being blocked. It might be cost prohibitive though.
  - awa 16y ago
    also illegal?
    - staunch 16y ago
      They could try calling a law enforcement agency claiming Facebook was hacking, but a) they probably wouldn't do that b) the agency would probably tell them it was a civil matter. Much more likely that it would result in a lawsuit than handcuffs.
andrewl-hn 16y ago
Another workaround would be creating a third-party service for importing contacts from Google. That third-party would have an access to Coogle contacts but not Facebook friendlist. Thus it wouldn't violate Google TOS because it wouldn't have any data for Google to return back. On Facebook side they might create a new accounts for that third-party automatically. Just a small note at the bottom of importing form saying that FB uses this service would be enough. That third party would have a small website where users can view their importing history, for example. They could even use Facebook Connect for authentication! :)
- metageek 16y ago
  >Another workaround would be creating a third-party service for importing contacts from Google. http://www.goosync.com/ http://www.goosync.com/