More Reasons Why You Should Still Quit Facebook (Includes responses to those who shrugged)

What's the big deal? I don't care if someone has access to my photos or status updates
Tens of millions of people provided personal information to Facebook with the understanding that this information was being shared only within their social network. Then Facebook changed the rules and this information was unexpectedly shared with perfect strangers. That is, simply stated, a profound invasion of privacy. In the United States, the Fourth and Ninth Amendments to the Constitution, along with numerous landmark Supreme Court cases, have established privacy as a fundamental right.
(much more at link)

I don't trust Facebook, either, so I just use fake data
Uh, okay. Somewhere between not sharing personal information and actually using fake data, we cross a line into "what's the point?"

snip...

I'd leave except that I have too many family and friends still on there
This is a tough one. I wrote my original post for exactly this reason - to try and convince them to leave. I felt that by continuing to use Facebook, I was passively endorsing it.

I'd leave except that there aren't any real alternatives
I am not aware of any good solutions for privacy in social media. Facebook has expressly moved away from providing one. But there are plenty of good opt-out solutions. Twitter works fine for status updates. For photos, we've had Flickr for years. For video, YouTube. For link sharing, Digg. I've picked these because they are all independent companies, but there are dozens of solutions for sharing social media. The nice thing about decentralizing control over your data is that you aren't at the mercy of any one company. In fact, you could make a pretty good argument that the Web itself is the real social network.

more...

http://gizmodo.com/5534736/more-reasons-why-you-should-still-quit-facebook

The anti (insert social networking website here) hyperbole is comical.

if you aren't aware of it, and seeing your interest in security of information, let me recommend http://startpage.com which I use.

but who is the lady in the picture ?

Sadly, she isn't Obama's second pick for the court.

<---------

And in front of cameras where she does so well.

I'm english in the UK so didn't know that. Thanks.

:hi:

Take a civics lesson...

The Bill of Rights restricts govt action. The Fourth and Ninth Amendments to the Constitution have absolutely NOTHING to do with Facebook.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Is the government mandating Facebook now or something?


:shrug:

I wasn't a long time Facebook user ... about ten months.

Frankly, I think it is poorly designed web site, hard to navigate, ugly to look at, and disorganized.

I never understood why I would get notices from total strangers to be their 'friend' ... what is that all about?

My real friends and family send me emails all the time ... why do I need a third-party web page on which to post the messages, too?

And, my sixteen year old daughter has become semi-addicted to Facebook; she thinks it has to be updated all the time. It is because of her and a teenager's propensity to say too many personal and stupid things that really has me concerned about the privacy and permanency issues.

I have a Typepad blog to state my views on the issues of the day, so the internet provides many avenues for expression.

But my experience has been that Facebook has got too many problems and contains too much potential for abuse.

From a usability factor, it's the biggest piece of crap on the internet. Everything is a stupid link to some blind navigation. I hate the site, but I will admit that friends and family are all addicts.

You've stated your case. People will make their own choices.

And for good reason.

Honestly I never really cared about Facebook until so many blogs and websites started becoming so dependent on them.

Require me to use Facebook just to comment or use your service and you lose me.

I imagine there's always going to be a cool coterie of conscientious comrades telling me what I should or should not join, should or should not wear, should or should not drive, etc.

Yet, as I myself enjoy it and really don't mind if that cabal of "corporate overlords" I hear so much about have access to my third grade class picture, I think I'll maintain my tenure there for the time being.

Thanks ever so much for your concern.
It will of course receive all the attention it warrants...

Yeah, they have my photos. Big deal. Big snooze, is more like it.

I have foreign language penpals on facebook, and lately, that's the biggest draw for me. It's a really fun way to practice reading and writing in another language.

IMO that site is much scarier than FB, but it also provides a necessary service for job seekers.

Also, it hasn't been dropping the limit on what's public about you over time like Facebook has been.

I keep a very slim professional profile there. As you said, it can be a necessary service for job seekers.

Don't put anything on the internet that you don't want to be public. Yes facebook is out to make a buck and so is everybody else. You don't need to be a computer geek to know that nothing is truly free.

Privacy - The ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively.

- VS -

Social - Refers to the interaction of people with other people

Networking - Meeting and connecting with new people with the intent of expanding social, romantic, or employment opportunities.


Social networking is designed to open our lives up and share it with others, in an attempt to expand our social circles and better connect with those already in them. Social networking sites are not, and never have been, designed to satisfy the needs of privacy wonks who want to hide from the world.

Here's a suggestion: If you're worried about your privacy and don't want anyone to know what you're doing today, DON'T USE FACEBOOK. Most of us don't really care. I post all sorts of things to Facebook, realizing that just about anyone on the planet can read it. Do I care if some Mongolian nomad with satellite internet in his yurt browses my kids t-ball photos? Not really. Do I have things that I absolutely do NOT want him reading? Of course...but I don't post those things to Facebook in the first place.