4 ms·

Perhaps closed was the wrong word — it's certainly more restrictive, is it not? It's my data. If I want to bring it to another service, I should be able to — a

Perhaps closed was the wrong word — it's certainly more restrictive, is it not? It's my data. If I want to bring it to another service, I should be able to — at least, that's what Google has been saying for a long time now. Even if my data is ultimately going to be locked up in this other site, is that not my decision to make?

raganwald 16y ago
Export your data to a file. Import your data into whatever app or service you like. All Google is saying is that if some other service wants to scrape your data automatically and with your permission, then they need to let Google do the same, scrape your data with your permission.
- jkincaid 16y ago
  Valid point, but the hurdle associated with exporting and re-uploading that data is non-trivial for most people. Is it truly portable if a user can't figure out how to take it with them in the first place? Edit: I should add that I think a fairer exchange of information between Google and Facebook would be a good thing for users. I just think the way Google is doing this conflicts to some degree with their past mission statements regarding users owning their data.
  - russell_h 16y ago
    Is it truly portable if its impossible to take it with you in the first place? Because thats what Google seems to be fighting against here.
    - extension 16y ago
      Do you think that Google thinks that Facebook is going to give in because of this? They're not fighting anything. It's a convenient excuse for getting their users caught in the crossfire. If Google believes that open data is the right thing to do, then they should be doing it unconditionally, not using it as a bargaining chip.
moxiemk1 16y ago
If it really is our data, then they should provide some sort of export-to-file that you could conceivably upload somewhere else. Streamlining the process of moving to another site, though, isn't part of being open with data. Its just a courtesy that they are now choosing not to extend. With an export-to-file, you control your data in every meaningful way, Google has complete control over their product in every meaningful way, and Facebook doesn't get to freeload. Plus, if they offered to upload from files, it would open up this process to anyone using non-mainstream services who could conceivably export in the same format.
joe_the_user 16y ago
The main thing is I don't see Google taking a hit in the press for this, considering that it's clearly fair.
jasonlotito 16y ago
> It's my data. If I want to bring it to another service, I should be able to Technically, you can. You can already move your data from Facebook to Google, or any place else. You just can't use an API to do it with. Google isn't imposing conditions on data. Instead, they are imposing restrictions on using it's API to access that data. You might consider it splitting hairs, but it's important. As a business, I shouldn't be required to build things into my API I don't want, and I shouldn't be required to give access to anyone that asks my API. I should be allowed to build an API as I deem necessary. While it's beneficial for users to have access to easily transport their data from one service to another, that should be my choice to set up.

raganwald 16y ago

Export your data to a file. Import your data into whatever app or service you like. All Google is saying is that if some other service wants to scrape your data automatically and with your permission, then they need to let Google do the same, scrape your data with your permission.

jkincaid 16y ago
Valid point, but the hurdle associated with exporting and re-uploading that data is non-trivial for most people. Is it truly portable if a user can't figure out how to take it with them in the first place? Edit: I should add that I think a fairer exchange of information between Google and Facebook would be a good thing for users. I just think the way Google is doing this conflicts to some degree with their past mission statements regarding users owning their data.
- russell_h 16y ago
  Is it truly portable if its impossible to take it with you in the first place? Because thats what Google seems to be fighting against here.
  - extension 16y ago
    Do you think that Google thinks that Facebook is going to give in because of this? They're not fighting anything. It's a convenient excuse for getting their users caught in the crossfire. If Google believes that open data is the right thing to do, then they should be doing it unconditionally, not using it as a bargaining chip.

moxiemk1 16y ago

If it really is our data, then they should provide some sort of export-to-file that you could conceivably upload somewhere else. Streamlining the process of moving to another site, though, isn't part of being open with data. Its just a courtesy that they are now choosing not to extend. With an export-to-file, you control your data in every meaningful way, Google has complete control over their product in every meaningful way, and Facebook doesn't get to freeload. Plus, if they offered to upload from files, it would open up this process to anyone using non-mainstream services who could conceivably export in the same format.

joe_the_user 16y ago

The main thing is I don't see Google taking a hit in the press for this, considering that it's clearly fair.

jasonlotito 16y ago

> It's my data. If I want to bring it to another service, I should be able to Technically, you can. You can already move your data from Facebook to Google, or any place else. You just can't use an API to do it with. Google isn't imposing conditions on data. Instead, they are imposing restrictions on using it's API to access that data. You might consider it splitting hairs, but it's important. As a business, I shouldn't be required to build things into my API I don't want, and I shouldn't be required to give access to anyone that asks my API. I should be allowed to build an API as I deem necessary. While it's beneficial for users to have access to easily transport their data from one service to another, that should be my choice to set up.