When Facebook executives talk about user privacy issues and control over content, it is apparent that user's interests are their top priority.
But, it turns out their actions are nowhere near public statements that they make.
After massively faltering with Beacon, it seems Facebook has learned the art of deception.
They have learned that an average user wouldn't care about their practices as long as they can avoid negative buzz.
They effectively do this by consistently claiming they are pro-user.
An average Facebook user is sold on those 'void' claims.
I would highlight 3 changes that are already in effect, or are in the pipeline that show Facebook's actual intentions: 1) A memo to advertisers last week revealed that Facebook is planning on doing away with the way brands appear on the site, which had provided a clear distinction between brand and user profiles.
Currently, users have to "Become a Fan" of a brand as opposed to clicking "Like" for user content and actions.
With this change, users will be clicking "Like" for brand pages as well.
Intention here is obvious - to make it easier for users to follow brands.
According to Facebook, people click 'Like' almost two times more than they click 'Become a Fan'.
The barrier to clicking "Like" is much lower than to "Become a Fan".
This is almost conning a user into following brands and sharing information even if they don't intend to.
2) Last month Facebook proposed a privacy policy that would allow partner websites access to user information.
The idea is to enable these 'pre-approved' partners to offer a more personalized experience off of Facebook.
The major concern - allowing these so called partner sites to pick up data on their own will with an 'opt-out' option instead of an 'opt-in'.
Most people would not even know that their information is being shared until after the fact.
3) In December last year, Facebook came out with new privacy changes that forced all users to review and confirm their settings.
Intention was to simplify complex privacy settings and to give users more control of their information.
There were some positives for the user (simpler settings and per-post options), but for most part these new privacy changes were clearly intended to have users share more information publicly and reduce control they have over their data.
This was clear from the default setting displayed to users when reviewing their privacy settings.
The setting (that most users confirmed to) allowed sharing of user content with everyone on the internet even if their previous setting was "Your Networks and Friends".
These tactics clearly indicate that Facebook solely cares about increasing their revenue opportunities.
Which I think is fair enough as long as they can curb privacy uproars.
I am in no way criticizing their tactics.
Actually, it is interesting to see how they manage 400 Million+ users.
But, it turns out their actions are nowhere near public statements that they make.
After massively faltering with Beacon, it seems Facebook has learned the art of deception.
They have learned that an average user wouldn't care about their practices as long as they can avoid negative buzz.
They effectively do this by consistently claiming they are pro-user.
An average Facebook user is sold on those 'void' claims.
I would highlight 3 changes that are already in effect, or are in the pipeline that show Facebook's actual intentions: 1) A memo to advertisers last week revealed that Facebook is planning on doing away with the way brands appear on the site, which had provided a clear distinction between brand and user profiles.
Currently, users have to "Become a Fan" of a brand as opposed to clicking "Like" for user content and actions.
With this change, users will be clicking "Like" for brand pages as well.
Intention here is obvious - to make it easier for users to follow brands.
According to Facebook, people click 'Like' almost two times more than they click 'Become a Fan'.
The barrier to clicking "Like" is much lower than to "Become a Fan".
This is almost conning a user into following brands and sharing information even if they don't intend to.
2) Last month Facebook proposed a privacy policy that would allow partner websites access to user information.
The idea is to enable these 'pre-approved' partners to offer a more personalized experience off of Facebook.
The major concern - allowing these so called partner sites to pick up data on their own will with an 'opt-out' option instead of an 'opt-in'.
Most people would not even know that their information is being shared until after the fact.
3) In December last year, Facebook came out with new privacy changes that forced all users to review and confirm their settings.
Intention was to simplify complex privacy settings and to give users more control of their information.
There were some positives for the user (simpler settings and per-post options), but for most part these new privacy changes were clearly intended to have users share more information publicly and reduce control they have over their data.
This was clear from the default setting displayed to users when reviewing their privacy settings.
The setting (that most users confirmed to) allowed sharing of user content with everyone on the internet even if their previous setting was "Your Networks and Friends".
These tactics clearly indicate that Facebook solely cares about increasing their revenue opportunities.
Which I think is fair enough as long as they can curb privacy uproars.
I am in no way criticizing their tactics.
Actually, it is interesting to see how they manage 400 Million+ users.
Source...