4 ms·

Tell HN: Facebook now requires login to read public timelines

5 points by app4soft 3y ago

Till yesterday it was possible to close login screen and continue read public accounts timelines without being logged in. Today login screen on Facebook become permanent.

NoZebra120vClip 3y ago
Feature parity with X
- rawling 3y ago
  I know X did try that, but didn't they roll it back?
Zetobal 3y ago
It's because you are a returning visitor... the first look is free.
- app4soft 3y ago
  > the first look is free. I even tried to open pages never opened earlier - all are under login screen today. Till yesterday I has been able visit many pages for few times and there was no permanent login screens. So, there is some new policy introduced today.
  - beardyw 3y ago
    Clear cookies, or am I just naive?
    - app4soft 3y ago
      > Clear cookies, or am I just naive? It does not help. Even switching browser to Private window/tab/mode has no effect. Note that it still possible to read posts via direct link. For example, here is the Ukrainian Air Force's official page timeline[0] and here is link to single post[1]. [0] https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/ https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/ [1] https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/688482899986328 https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/688482899986328
whatamidoingyo 3y ago
"Today login screen on Facebook become permanent." With uBlock origin, you can easily "zap" the popup by enabling advanced features, and continue scrolling. (It works on Instagram as well).
- butz 3y ago
  I was able to remove overlay, but scrolling does not work. Not that I really need to browse Facebook or something, but local public services are using facebook to post news.
- app4soft 3y ago
  > With uBlock origin, you can easily "zap" the popup by enabling advanced features, and continue scrolling Its possible to hide login screen, but there is no timeline (except first post) behind it.[0] [0] https://old.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/133uncy/hiding_the_facebook_login_popup_and_overlay/ https://old.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/133uncy/hidin...
spansoa 3y ago
Some users' profiles are set to private and un-indexable by search engines. I like this feature of Facebook. It stops bots scraping mine and others' profiles.
- app4soft 3y ago
  > Some users' profiles are set to private I'm describing issue with public accounts. Private accounts out of scope here.
butz 3y ago
Is there a "nitter" for facebook?
- app4soft 3y ago
  No, only alternative client apps.[0] [0] https://github.com/mendel5/alternative-front-ends#facebook https://github.com/mendel5/alternative-front-ends#facebook

5 points by app4soft 3y ago

Till yesterday it was possible to close login screen and continue read public accounts timelines without being logged in. Today login screen on Facebook become permanent.

NoZebra120vClip 3y ago

Feature parity with X

rawling 3y ago
I know X did try that, but didn't they roll it back?

Zetobal 3y ago

It's because you are a returning visitor... the first look is free.

app4soft 3y ago
> the first look is free. I even tried to open pages never opened earlier - all are under login screen today. Till yesterday I has been able visit many pages for few times and there was no permanent login screens. So, there is some new policy introduced today.
- beardyw 3y ago
  Clear cookies, or am I just naive?
  - app4soft 3y ago
    > Clear cookies, or am I just naive? It does not help. Even switching browser to Private window/tab/mode has no effect. Note that it still possible to read posts via direct link. For example, here is the Ukrainian Air Force's official page timeline[0] and here is link to single post[1]. [0] https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/ https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/ [1] https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/688482899986328 https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/688482899986328

whatamidoingyo 3y ago

"Today login screen on Facebook become permanent." With uBlock origin, you can easily "zap" the popup by enabling advanced features, and continue scrolling. (It works on Instagram as well).

butz 3y ago
I was able to remove overlay, but scrolling does not work. Not that I really need to browse Facebook or something, but local public services are using facebook to post news.
app4soft 3y ago
> With uBlock origin, you can easily "zap" the popup by enabling advanced features, and continue scrolling Its possible to hide login screen, but there is no timeline (except first post) behind it.[0] [0] https://old.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/133uncy/hiding_the_facebook_login_popup_and_overlay/ https://old.reddit.com/r/uBlockOrigin/comments/133uncy/hidin...

spansoa 3y ago

Some users' profiles are set to private and un-indexable by search engines. I like this feature of Facebook. It stops bots scraping mine and others' profiles.

app4soft 3y ago
> Some users' profiles are set to private I'm describing issue with public accounts. Private accounts out of scope here.

butz 3y ago

Is there a "nitter" for facebook?

app4soft 3y ago
No, only alternative client apps.[0] [0] https://github.com/mendel5/alternative-front-ends#facebook https://github.com/mendel5/alternative-front-ends#facebook