Facebook privacy breaches

Forums › Social networks, social media and tools › Facebook privacy breaches

timmmay

20859 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#232059 27-Mar-2018 12:31

Facebook appears to have been helping themselves to users data, including call history and text messages. There's a big outcry, US federal investigation, etc. No doubt things will change for the better, sooner or later.

Usually the approach of "don't put anything private online" works, but if Facebook can look through your phone you lose that ability somewhat.

I thought about leaving Facebook, but it's just too useful to connect with friends and family, get event notifications, and share family photos. People not on Facebook tend to get forgotten.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Geek of Coastguard
14116 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4579

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1984244 27-Mar-2018 12:42

I'm tempted to leave as well, but I've invested a bit of time into some groups I'm in...... guess I could just delete everything from my profile but the groups but meh...

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

Stu

Hammered
8743 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2409

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1984247 27-Mar-2018 12:45

This isn't the first time these app permissions have been 'discussed' in the media, but it certainly seems to be the loudest 'discussion' so far. Difficult to label it a 'privacy breach' if they technically haven't hidden the permissions needed to grab the data. Doesn't take much to find what each permission is capable of allowing an app to do. The Facebook app is not alone in keeping an eye on you. From about Android M or N you can disable permissions per app.

I'd also dearly like to get away from Facebook, but still have an account for the exact reasons you state.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#1984248 27-Mar-2018 12:50

Zuck explains it himself...

Instant messages sent by Zuckerberg during Facebook's early days, reported by Business Insider (May 13, 2010)

Zuck: Yeah so if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard
Zuck: Just ask
Zuck: I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNS
[Redacted Friend's Name]: What? How'd you manage that one?
Zuck: People just submitted it.
Zuck: I don't know why.
Zuck: They "trust me"
Zuck: Dumb f***ks

Can't be sure if he truly said this but the concept is correct.

kobiak

1615 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 551

Trusted

#1984250 27-Mar-2018 13:04

yeah I don't see it as privacy breach either, as user agreed to required permissions while installing the app.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

ZollyMonsta

3009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 379

ID Verified

Trusted

#1984251 27-Mar-2018 13:06

I didnt find anything of concern in my data. In fact, I was able to retrieve some long lost photos and videos in my download!

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

msukiwi

2443 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2126

Lifetime subscriber

#1984252 27-Mar-2018 13:13

timmmay:

People not on Facebook tend to get forgotten.

Yay! I'm forgotten!

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

timmmay

20859 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1984282 27-Mar-2018 13:42

surfisup1000:

Zuck: Dumb f***ks

To be fair, this was probably said when he was about 19 or 20. I'm sure I said so things that I would prefer forgotten back then.

antoniosk

2383 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 750

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1984299 27-Mar-2018 14:29

timmmay:

Facebook appears to have been helping themselves to users data, including call history and text messages. There's a big outcry, US federal investigation, etc. No doubt things will change for the better, sooner or later.

Usually the approach of "don't put anything private online" works, but if Facebook can look through your phone you lose that ability somewhat.

I thought about leaving Facebook, but it's just too useful to connect with friends and family, get event notifications, and share family photos. People not on Facebook tend to get forgotten.

the call and text history is part of the default capabilities people 'approve' in the android version; no such function exists in iOS.

But, Facebook in principle seems to be a little like Microsoft was with XP; all security and features off by default, access to everything by default rather than asking permission each time to get somewhat active agreement.

So, the outcome is going to be GDPR smashing into all social apps (prob overdue), and lots and lots of compliance and enforcement people taking over and defining everything they can do.

Regulation is inevitable; the actions of the self-centred and the arrogant continue to ruin things for everyone....

________

Antoniosk

SaltyNZ

8869 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9554

Trusted

2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#1984315 27-Mar-2018 14:58

I deleted my Facebook account before it was cool.

(•_•)

( •_•)>⌐■-■

(⌐■_■)

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

lurker

838 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 223

Lifetime subscriber

#1984321 27-Mar-2018 15:02

I downloaded my archive and there was very little in there, as I don't use the mobile app and disabled the Facebook apps.

I'm surprised it's a big deal when we've always known this is what happens with your data, I guess people had their fingers in their ears the whole time and now the media have a story to go with instead of Trump

SepticSceptic

2263 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 779

Trusted

#1984340 27-Mar-2018 15:15

kobiak:

yeah I don't see it as privacy breach either, as user agreed to required permissions while installing the app.

That may be the case, it's the access to the phone book, etc for your contacts. You contatcs have not given FB,etc, permission for those details to be purloined.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

kobiak

1615 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 551

Trusted

#1984361 27-Mar-2018 15:40

SepticSceptic:

kobiak:

yeah I don't see it as privacy breach either, as user agreed to required permissions while installing the app.

That may be the case, it's the access to the phone book, etc for your contacts. You contatcs have not given FB,etc, permission for those details to be purloined.

In that regard, I'd rather be asking a person, who allowed 3rd party to have access to the sensitive/private information provided to them.

I would suggest that person acted recklessly to give access to my private data. Thus should be liable! :D

helping others at evgenyk.nz

smcc

206 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 49

ID Verified

#1984370 27-Mar-2018 15:55

kobiak:

SepticSceptic:

kobiak:

yeah I don't see it as privacy breach either, as user agreed to required permissions while installing the app.

That may be the case, it's the access to the phone book, etc for your contacts. You contatcs have not given FB,etc, permission for those details to be purloined.

In that regard, I'd rather be asking a person, who allowed 3rd party to have access to the sensitive/private information provided to them.

I would suggest that person acted recklessly to give access to my private data. Thus should be liable! :D

That would be the user when they agreed to the T&Cs for the third party App in Facebook.

I still can't believe that people are surprised by this. Facebook are not particularly transparent but all of this info is there if you look, and there's been enough media coverage in the past. The working assumption has to be Facebook will keep everything you give them, and so will any third party apps or stupid the 'click bait', "What do you think", or "What's your ..." or "90% won't click this" collection pages. If you don't understand that and moderate the info you share accordingly, maybe #deletefacebook is your best solution.

Hammerer

2480 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 802

Lifetime subscriber

#1984431 27-Mar-2018 17:21

smcc:

I still can't believe that people are surprised by this. Facebook are not particularly transparent but all of this info is there if you look, and there's been enough media coverage in the past.

Agree.

Making money always has been more important than any privacy or confidentiality that Facebook users assume they have.

In that sentence I could easily substitute Microsoft or Google for Facebook. But they are not as blatant as Facebook has been right from the start which is why I refuse to use it. One difference is that Microsoft and Google started in eras when the tempatation to misuse data were quite different. Facebook started in an era where the financial benefit are stronger and most users are far more accepting of risks to their privacy and confidentiality. There also seems to be lighter controls on the IT industry in the USA than there were in the 1980s/90s. Maybe because the social and political influence of IT companies appears to be so much greater.

cadman

1014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557
Inactive user

#1984439 27-Mar-2018 17:50

timmmay:

People not on Facebook tend to get forgotten.

Sounds good to me!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5