TECH

A Social Network’s Faux Pas?

Facebook says it's data mining its members to serve up more relevant ads. But users say the company's plan is an invasion of their privacy.

Newsweek Web Exclusive
Nov 9, 2007 | Updated: 4:11  p.m. ET Nov 9, 2007

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: SteveBallmer @ 11/18/2007 8:39:34 PM

    Just a few cantankerous users, nothing to worry about.
    http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

    • Posted By: votenic @ 11/21/2007 4:11:02 PM

      2008 Presidential Election
      http://www.votenic.com
      The Only Poll That Matters
      Results Posted Tuesday Evening

  • Posted By: Dakkon @ 11/11/2007 12:06:09 PM

    splette, per your comment, you must be a pro-fascism Republican.

    Go back to Iran, they'll love you there.

  • Posted By: Dakkon @ 11/11/2007 12:05:13 PM

    splette, per your comment, you must be a pro-fascism republican.

    go back to iran. they'll love you there.

  • Posted By: rueldel005 @ 11/11/2007 4:02:23 AM

    What did you expect from Microsoft?

  • Posted By: clarksonrollins@sbcglobal.net @ 11/10/2007 4:03:55 AM

    Screw'em they are becoming the Wal-Mart of social web sites, anything for a buck!!! Lets take ourselves to a different site. If sombody wants to mine my info I'm not going to hang around long enough for it to do them any good...

  • Posted By: splette @ 11/09/2007 9:27:17 PM

    What an absurd complaint. People on facebook tell the world (or rather, anyone with an internet connection) everything about themselves. But Beneddetto doesn't want that information to be used in any other manner? You've told the world, dummy! Why do you care if Nike knows that you like to run (or company X knows about whatever hobby you have)? More importantly, is Facebook entitled to provide you with a free web page and social communication tools? They provide you with a service and in return, they'd like to make some money on it. Is that such a ridiculous idea? They are going to shove ads in front of you whether you like it or not (they have to keep the lights on in the office), wouldn't you rather they be ads that a pertinent to your interests? If you're really worried about privacy, perhaps you should think twice about posting a bunch of information about yourself on a free web site.

  • Posted By: dabin_d @ 11/09/2007 6:23:28 PM

    Benedetto has no idea what he is talking about. This is being done on sites all over the internet and the internet as a whole. Targeting ads based on viewing history or interests is nothing new and is being done by every major ad agency.

  • Posted By: dabin_d @ 11/09/2007 6:23:11 PM

    Benedetto has no idea what he is talking about. This is being done on sites all over the internet and the internet as a whole. Targeting ads based on viewing history or interests is nothing new and is being done by every major ad agency.

  • Posted By: jmb1983 @ 11/09/2007 5:18:02 PM

    Those people who say they'll leave facebook are lying. There is no way they are going to leave. It's way too addictive! LOL. Trust me, they're not going anywhere. I actually like the ads. The company I work for puts ads up there and anything that will generate revenue for them is ok with me.

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse