This actually comes a few months late, but I’ve read enough about it that I think it’s worth talking about. There’s an article on the Silicon Insider talking about the newest integration between Facebook and Blockbuster, Fandago and others. Had I not already heard all the details and fallout I probably would have said, “Sounds like a complicated threat model. I hope someone did their homework.” Alas, they did not.

What’s fallen out from this is a privacy issue that’s complex and fascinating. Firstly, the title of the Silicon Insider article is pretty telling, “Do You Want Your Grandmother to Know You Bought Porn? Well Learn to Opt Out” Facebook has taken an interesting stance towards your privacy. You can opt out of them giving it to people you are friends with. The opt out process is in question as is the concept in general. One of the best examples of why this was a problem I’ve heard is that it ruined people’s x-mas presents, because it was displayed on their friend’s Facebook profile.

It’s clear that this is just another way to monetize their users, and not a use feature that consumers typically feel comfortable with. Of course, if you aren’t buying anything bad, you have nothing to worry about. But even still, do you really feel comfortable with your friends knowing everything you’re buying? Do we have any privacy anymore? This is getting to be a pretty voyeuristic society - because it’s easy to monetize people’s privacy by taking it away from them.

I’m not particularly upset with Facebook, in particular - they are hardly the first company to forsake people’s private information for monetary gain. But I think this sort of behavior is only making people distrust social networking. It should be noted that some of the people who built some of the largest social networking sites in the world are also data mining experts - it’s not a leap to figure out why those two are a dangerous combination for privacy. So while I’m not upset with Facebook - you won’t find me building a profile there anytime soon.