2/24/2017 3 Comments February 24th, 2017Blog 5
http://www.alternet.org/human-rights/facebook-doesnt-tell-users-everything-it-really-knows-about-them This linked article presents a current issue with Facebook’s data collection and targeted advertising practices. Essentially the article states that Facebook deceptively collects data, more than they let on in their reports available to each user. Facebook already collects and classifies activity performed by their users but they also purchase additional information, mostly financial, from third party data collection agencies to further build an advertising profile for that user. I see a few problems with this: First, Facebook does not allow users to opt out of Facebook using these agencies. If Facebook allows a user to opt out of it’s targeted advertising and it is using third party sources it should also allow an opt out option for using that third party data as well. Facebook tries to pass the responsibility along, but they are the ones that decided to use the third party services. Facebook needs to either allow all levels of opt out options or not have an option at all, not a halfway option like they have now. Second, Facebook does not openly disclose the use of these third party services. If Facebook is going to use third party services to build an advertising profile for its users, then this activity should be openly and clearly disclosed to its users. By hiding this activity from users Facebook is making the move appear more shady that it may possibly be. Third, Facebook does not appear to vet which third parties they are affiliating with. If Facebook is advising their users to go to the third parties themselves to perform an opt out then they should only use data collection agencies that have a clear and easily available opt out policy. According to the article linked above, one of the researchers was unable to opt out of approximately a third of the agencies. I strongly disapprove of many of Facebook’s actions which is why I do not have a profile with them. This is just one more mark against them in my book. I do not think Facebook takes any ethical considerations when implementing their technologies and this is one of the reasons I will never be one of their users.
3 Comments
Araceli Gopar
3/2/2017 10:33:39 pm
Pearce,
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Salvador Ramirez
3/3/2017 08:24:16 pm
Hello Pearce,
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Salvador Ramirez
3/3/2017 08:24:51 pm
*Now I know
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AuthorPearce : CS-SE student Archives
May 2017
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