Are you shilling for Facebook advertisers?
February 4th, 2009
I am doing some research into Facebook privacy, and stumbled upon this option in the Facebook privacy policy.
Users must explicitly opt out of being included in “Social Ads”. For those who are not familiar with this concept, picture your profile mug in a sidebar ad suggesting you heartily endorse this event or product.
In the Social Ads tab, change Appearance in Social Ads to No one.
I’m really very surprised about the lack of “Hey! WTF?” that this feature has gotten, especially after the Beacon debacle and other Facebook criticisms.
Thanks for finding this!
Does this mean they get your consent for this somewhere along the way?
(yeah yeah I don’t read EULAs either)
Believe it or not, by using Facebook, you have agree to this. It is part of the Privacy Policy that you have agreed to understand.
Since only your friends, and fellow members of groups can see you in these ads, it technically not a Privacy violation. It is however, in my opinion a breach of trust and is just plain dirty. These folks aren’t too happy about it either:
Stand Up! Don’t Let Facebook Invade Your Social Life With Ads!
Fuck Facebook Social Ads
People Against Social Ads
Beware Facebook’s “Social Ads”
I knew there had to be some scheming going on over at Facebook. Thanks for the heads up!