3 ms·

>Imagine being unable to buy food because an algorithm determined that “you violated our community standards” and there’s no way to contact them Not to defend

>Imagine being unable to buy food because an algorithm determined that “you violated our community standards” and there’s no way to contact them Not to defend Facebook in any way but, isn't that already the case with a bank system automatically blocking your card for no valid reason and no way to call them over the weekend for example? (happened to me a few times)

z3t4 7y ago
This is why I'm against a cacheless society as it becomes too easy to lock someone out of society, being it a bug, algorithm, network downtime, or abuse. And for the platform to automatically draw money for arbitrary reasons like fees or because you forgot to push some buttons in their web interface. And then you have to pay a percentage in all transactions and probably also a monthly fee. And the platform will keep drawing money putting your account into negative.
- hrktb 7y ago
  cashless doesn’t mean always online. Prepaid wallets with offline/anonymous use are a thing, already used for over a decade in some countries. It’s not easy to build in any way, but it’s already a reality.
HenryBemis 7y ago
Happened to me too, over weekend, when I shop online and my bank thinks there is something suspicious, they freeze the transaction (not block it), text me a Y/N question with the merchant&amount, and if I reply fast enough, it goes through. Otherwise the vendor cancels the request and I can 5mins later try again, and this time it goes through. But that's my "main" bank. My secondary bank is not as user friendly and thus don't get an equal cut of my business.
scaryclam 7y ago
Your card isn't your account, just an avenue to getting at the money in your account, so it's not quite the same. I can go into a bank branch, or log into online banking and still access my money. I can also go into a branch or phone my bank and get my card unblocked. In all cases where my bank has blocked my card, they've been contactable (24/7), though to be honest, they've always contacted me in less than a minute after my card has been blocked, so I've never had to do this. I'm in the UK for reference, as I know experience will vary from bank to bank and place to place, as you've already identified. In the case of Libra, you have no recourse if Facebook decide to block your account. You just have to hope that someday your case will be reviewed. Paypal seem to be just as bad, so it's not only Facebook who would have this problem, but I also avoid Paypal for that same reason.
- Jommi 7y ago
  Why would Facebook not have the same level of support as a bank, when they launch Libra? Doesnt seem to be a strong argument.
  - hgoel 7y ago
    probably because we have precedent of social media companies not bothering with that level of support/intentionally avoiding having to provide proper support. There's no reason to assume Facebook will change that either.
- tsukurimashou 7y ago
  Well in France I can tell you that bank services are a big joke, no one ever called me when my card was blocked, worst, most of the time they don't even know why the card doesn't work. Happened to me on multiple occasions with different banks in different regions in France. And if you dare pointing out how incompetent they are they'll just close you account and leave you in the wild.

z3t4 7y ago

This is why I'm against a cacheless society as it becomes too easy to lock someone out of society, being it a bug, algorithm, network downtime, or abuse. And for the platform to automatically draw money for arbitrary reasons like fees or because you forgot to push some buttons in their web interface. And then you have to pay a percentage in all transactions and probably also a monthly fee. And the platform will keep drawing money putting your account into negative.

hrktb 7y ago
cashless doesn’t mean always online. Prepaid wallets with offline/anonymous use are a thing, already used for over a decade in some countries. It’s not easy to build in any way, but it’s already a reality.

HenryBemis 7y ago

Happened to me too, over weekend, when I shop online and my bank thinks there is something suspicious, they freeze the transaction (not block it), text me a Y/N question with the merchant&amount, and if I reply fast enough, it goes through. Otherwise the vendor cancels the request and I can 5mins later try again, and this time it goes through. But that's my "main" bank. My secondary bank is not as user friendly and thus don't get an equal cut of my business.

scaryclam 7y ago

Your card isn't your account, just an avenue to getting at the money in your account, so it's not quite the same. I can go into a bank branch, or log into online banking and still access my money. I can also go into a branch or phone my bank and get my card unblocked. In all cases where my bank has blocked my card, they've been contactable (24/7), though to be honest, they've always contacted me in less than a minute after my card has been blocked, so I've never had to do this. I'm in the UK for reference, as I know experience will vary from bank to bank and place to place, as you've already identified. In the case of Libra, you have no recourse if Facebook decide to block your account. You just have to hope that someday your case will be reviewed. Paypal seem to be just as bad, so it's not only Facebook who would have this problem, but I also avoid Paypal for that same reason.

Jommi 7y ago
Why would Facebook not have the same level of support as a bank, when they launch Libra? Doesnt seem to be a strong argument.
- hgoel 7y ago
  probably because we have precedent of social media companies not bothering with that level of support/intentionally avoiding having to provide proper support. There's no reason to assume Facebook will change that either.
tsukurimashou 7y ago
Well in France I can tell you that bank services are a big joke, no one ever called me when my card was blocked, worst, most of the time they don't even know why the card doesn't work. Happened to me on multiple occasions with different banks in different regions in France. And if you dare pointing out how incompetent they are they'll just close you account and leave you in the wild.