Monday 16 January 2012

Facebook-There's more behind it than YOU might think

Facebook... Known to many as the online world where they can poke, play and chat. Or find out what last night's homework was.

If it wasn't for Mr. Feinburg then I wouldn't understand the 'DATA USE POLICY' which may seem boring but is very important. In this post I will go through the different parts of the policy and break them down into every day language

1. Information we recieve and how it is used

For me this would seem to be messages, we recieve on Facebook...so for example James saying "Do you want to got to the park" the second part is important though especially now after the riots where social networking sites were used to promote the rioting. So my example of information we recieve being used wrongly would be James saying "Do you want to go to the park to vandalise swings" Yes this is on a less major scale but Facebook would be able to intervene to prevent crimes just like in the riots it says this in 'Other information we recieve about you' "We receive data about you whenever you interact with Facebook, such as when you look at another person's profile, send someone a message, search for a friend or a Page, click on an ad, or purchase Facebook Credits". But also about the information FACEBOOK recieves about you, (your registration information, information you choose to share. Facebook says that it uses the information it recieves to:

  • Keep Facebook safe
  • Provide you with services
  • Make suggestions to you

AND IN ORDER TO DO THIS FACEBOOK SAYS IT MUST HAVE:

  • Had your permission
  • Given you notice

2. Sharing and finding you on Facebook

Over the past few years due to concerns from parents and a few incidents with people on Facebook, the 'Facebook Team' has controlled its Sharing and Finding I am impressed that you can choose which audience your post goes to whoever you want it to. Just your closest friends, your friends, your friends of friends or everyone. Going back to my example james would send the post to 'friends'.

3. Sharing with other websites and applications

Social Plug-Ins (see picture right) are EXTREMELY popular. Social plugins are buttons, boxes, and stories (such as the Like button) that other websites can use to present Facebook content to you and create more social and personal experiences for you. While you view these buttons, boxes, and stories on other sites, the content comes directly from Facebook. Facebook keeps the information about you using a plug in for 90 days then deletes it.
The Facebook Hangover

4. How advertising works

Is this how Facebook  makes its money...YES but Facebook has tried to make the ad's more...

  • relevant
  • interesting
  • suited to YOU
'Facebook Ads are sometimes paired with social actions your friends have taken. For example, an ad for a sushi restaurant may be paired with a news story that one of your friends likes that restaurant's Facebook page.' This is how Facebook appears to be tackling the problem.


5. Minors and Safety


'We take safety issues very seriously, especially with children, and we encourage parents to teach their children about safe internet practices. To learn more, visit our Safety Center.

To protect minors, we may put special safeguards in place (such as placing restrictions on the ability of adults to share and connect with them), recognizing this may provide minors a more limited experience on Facebook.' That quote is showing Facebook and Mark Zuckerburg putting the pressure on the parents to educate the children about what is right and wrong on the web interestingly as many parents prevent their children from using Facebook as the parents themselves don't understand it either!


6. Some other things you need to know

This goes through legal procedures, cookies and various other things 'you need to know'

And I think that covers it !