![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-17044-100x100.png\")
picture FAIL.
picture FAIL.
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Can you tell us what we are missing so we don't have to take the quiz?
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@Triesharder: The quick take-away on this, is that a Facebook application developer can get access not only to your \"public\" information, but also your \"private\" profile information ... stuff that you've designated as visible to \"friends only\" ... and what's worse, is that your friends can expose YOUR profile information to the developer, if THEY participate in a Facebook application ... even if you're totally unaware that they've participated and have not participated in the application yourself.
It's eye-opening ... especially since their quiz uses these same exploits to show you the information a Facebook application can acquire, without you or your friends even knowing it. It's ironic and paradoxical of them to use a Facebook application to do this, but the upshot is that only by using a Facebook application, can they demonstrate to you, conclusively, how invasive they really are.
@PsiCop:
I'm familiar with applications that use data from friends of the application user (i.e. a quiz that asks you which of your friends was born in Mobile, Alabama - that info would come from the friend's profile). What I'm curious about is whether app developers are able to get that information OUT of Facebook.
@Cant_stop_the_rock: If app developers can write an app that displays the data on someone's screen, then by definition they can capture it themselves. Facebook is not an SSL site (e.g.) which puts a wall up between the user and a third party (that being the developer).
@PsiCop:
\"If app developers can write an app that displays the data on someone's screen, then by definition they can capture it themselves.\"
Not necessarily true. Apps could be written with placeholders that get replaced with real data when Facebook is serving the app's page to the user. I'm guessing that is not the case though; app developers probably can capture and keep your personal data.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-373427-100x100.png\")
@Cant_stop_the_rock: I was about to update mine since it's boring and plain at the moment but reading this makes me want to take away info not add more
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-926607-100x100.png\")
I thought this was all we needed to know about social networking and privacy and whatnot.
\"Just think about love and companionship and everything's fine!!\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-16563-100x100.png\")
I'm always amazed and impressed by the breadth and width of issues that the ACLU takes on to ensure the public's civil liberties.
@Cant_stop_the_rock: Whether it's the government or commerce sneakily data-mining your anonymity away, does it matter? Especially when the government takes advantage of corporate privacy invaders?
Opinions may differ agreeably, but I'm of the mind it fits their charter, and that consumer-citizens benefit thru the ACLU's efforts. So, kudos!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1287447-100x100.png\")
Hey Laura,
I appreciate you calling out the quiz \"developers\" (If you can even call them that) on the HUGE amounts of data they harvest (If you look on the facebook developer forum, in the marketplace, you will see people actually attempting to sell user data), i have to, again, point out that we are not all like that.
For instance, a few applications i have done work for, and ALL of my own rely on only one piece of \"user data\", and it's their user id. You know, that really long number that can go up to 13 digits long? Thats it, thats all. Alot of apps record that number in the database, as thats the only real way to authenticate a user to an account.
@ViolentPiranha: you can't speak for all developers. just because someone used their iPod to cheat in class doesn't mean I'm going to. but you never know
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-917643-100x100.png\")
@ViolentPiranha: True. But what the quiz is really talking about developers having the data, which is very different from saying that they will necessarily misuse the data.
I started using Facebook in late july. i got my first non-friend request a few days ago. it was a quiz to test how boyish I am (my friends took it, I guess it automatically sends a request to all friends. since I'm a guy). as I was about to take it Facebook prompted me that if I accepted and added it. the Application (I thought I was taking a quiz not adding an app) would have full access to my profile, friends, and photos. that set off red flags that made me say \"hell no\" and I canceled
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-70147-100x100.png\")
@AppleAlex: Each quiz is it's own app, so you don't really have a choice if you want to take it. But yes, as you discovered, the very simple answer is, so don't take the quiz!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-488475-100x100.png\")
@AppleAlex: I don't do them either. I don't do the stupid Mafia Wars, Farmville, no hugs, kisses, bottles of shampoo or plates of spaghetti from friends. I just comment on their posts and send them messages.
I do like some of the quizzes where you don't have to install anything, just copy and paste.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-347523-100x100.png\")
Again this is why I stay off of facebook. One less thing that can track down all my information as if there are not enough privacy violations online and off already.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-851357-100x100.png\")
@tawni: Yes, there is one sure-fire way of ensuring that you don't fall victim to these tactics - stay off of Facebook!
I wonder about people that will voluntarily publish every little tedious detail about themselves and their families on a social networking site and then whine that someone on Internet has their information.
I'd like to think that this is a case of \"you get what you pay for.\"
Like if Facebook weren't funded 100% by advertising this would be less of a problem.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1224797-100x100.png\")
I have a FB profile... Can I post a link to this on it??? I'm seriously asking here...
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-648033-100x100.png\")
I was rechecking my security setting (all of which are maxed out) when I saw this new addition:
\"Adverts shown by third party applications
Facebook does not give third party applications or advertising networks the right to use your name or picture in adverts. If this is allowed in the future, this setting will govern the usage of your information.\"
If this is allowed in the future?! Oh, and the default was to friends, not to 'no one' which is what I changed it to.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1019299-100x100.png\")
Block all apps. BLOCK ALL APPS!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-693892-100x100.png\")
You can actually limit what other applications you haven't personally authorized can see about you. Go to Settings > Privacy Settings > Applications > Settings. There, you'll be able to set what applications that you haven't authorized can see about you.
Note, though, when you add an app, you give them permission to see your full profile (except for contact info). That's just how Platform is. My policy... check the app details page. If the app looks sketchy (developer not established, bad reviews, lacking privacy policy, etc...), don't add it.
Th only thing I accept is friend requests, Mafia wars and that stupid farming app, the rest are trash. Maximum privacy settings, you can't even search for my name, you have to know someone I know. All pictures are for friends only, don't even have a profile pic.
My bro0ther was hevily into myspace and quit over privacy concerns, I try to show him that he can lock it down but he isn't interested.
[url=http://img441.imageshack.us/i/mafiam.jpg/][img=http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/3859/mafiam.jpg][/url]
@Mozoltov, motherfucker: Mafia Wars and \"that stupid farming app\" are still worth it to you? Your info may be safe, but your main feed page must be fucking irritating.
@Mozoltov, motherfucker: Apps your friends install will still be able to access your information, unless you go to this page and select the second option:
[www.facebook.com]
@Mozoltov, motherfucker: We all know about the privacy setting. However the ACLU article/quiz shows that the apps your fieends installed can access your private info, EVEN IF THOSE INFO ARE ARE SET TO BE NOT EVEN VISIBLE TO YOUR FRIENDS!
Unless you really know how to set the privacy setting. That, is really scary.
@Mozoltov, motherfucker:
Why would you want to exclude yourself from searches?