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...but Facebook doesn’t have to let you use their service (for free) if they don’t want to. If they don’t like something you are doing, they can do whatever th

...but Facebook doesn’t have to let you use their service (for free) if they don’t want to. If they don’t like something you are doing, they can do whatever they like.

Guest42 6y ago
Are you sure there isn’t more nuance to the situation?
- _Understated_ 6y ago
  Like what? It's not running on their servers at this point: It's on my computer. Now, I don't know what the US laws exactly say about that but in terms of common sense, FB should not be allowed to make any claims to that data when it's on my computer. Sure, they can say "well, no more data for you, you're banned" but that's a different argument. In addition, having control over users of FB is one thing as they signed up to it and agreed to the terms but NYU didn't so I have no idea how they can even claim to enforce them especially if NYU are scraping data from the users computer (I assume they aren't making a connection to the FB servers!) Also, not that it matters for this argument, I do not have a FB (or any social media) account: I tried it, maybe 10 years ago, and found it silly :) Edit: Guys, this isn't Reddit! I'm all for downvotes but not drive-by downvoting... a simple "I downvoted you because..." would suffice. Edit2: Mea Culpa! As has been pointed out, I replied to someone that wasn't actually commenting on my post... not sure how I missed that!
  - Guest42 6y ago
    I agree with you. I was referring to the person above me.
_Understated_ 6y ago
Of course they can but my point still stands: what I do with data that is, by every definition, running on MY computer is my business, not Facebook's. Them banning me for doing that (possibly violating their Terms) is a separate argument. In addition, NYU didn't sign up to Facebook so they have no need to abide by their Terms. At least, they shouldn't have to abide by them... not sure what the laws in the US say about it. I'm not for government intervention for things like this but the courts (I believe) have already ruled that scraping data is legit. Edit: added that I think they shouldn't be able to have a say

...but Facebook doesn’t have to let you use their service (for free) if they don’t want to. If they don’t like something you are doing, they can do whatever they like.

Guest42 6y ago

Are you sure there isn’t more nuance to the situation?

_Understated_ 6y ago
Like what? It's not running on their servers at this point: It's on my computer. Now, I don't know what the US laws exactly say about that but in terms of common sense, FB should not be allowed to make any claims to that data when it's on my computer. Sure, they can say "well, no more data for you, you're banned" but that's a different argument. In addition, having control over users of FB is one thing as they signed up to it and agreed to the terms but NYU didn't so I have no idea how they can even claim to enforce them especially if NYU are scraping data from the users computer (I assume they aren't making a connection to the FB servers!) Also, not that it matters for this argument, I do not have a FB (or any social media) account: I tried it, maybe 10 years ago, and found it silly :) Edit: Guys, this isn't Reddit! I'm all for downvotes but not drive-by downvoting... a simple "I downvoted you because..." would suffice. Edit2: Mea Culpa! As has been pointed out, I replied to someone that wasn't actually commenting on my post... not sure how I missed that!
- Guest42 6y ago
  I agree with you. I was referring to the person above me.

_Understated_ 6y ago

Of course they can but my point still stands: what I do with data that is, by every definition, running on MY computer is my business, not Facebook's. Them banning me for doing that (possibly violating their Terms) is a separate argument. In addition, NYU didn't sign up to Facebook so they have no need to abide by their Terms. At least, they shouldn't have to abide by them... not sure what the laws in the US say about it. I'm not for government intervention for things like this but the courts (I believe) have already ruled that scraping data is legit. Edit: added that I think they shouldn't be able to have a say