So as of today, in order to post a comment on Huffington Post, you have to verify your HP account by

[politicaljunkie41910]

linking your HP account to your Facebook account and your HP posts will be linked to your Facebook account.

No thanks. This is too much intrusion by HP in my opinion. I have a Facebook account for only two purposes. One, I had to sign up with FB in order to access the information for my 35th high school reunion which I wanted to attend. Two, my daughter-in-law posts all new pictures and everything related to my 3 grandbabies on FB and it's convenient for everyone to check it out there.

Other than those two things, I would not use FB for anything. I'm too old for that kind of thing, although I know plenty of people my age, who spend entirely too much time on FB.

[gcomeau]

1. Actually it's as of several days ago...

...and it will only link your Huffpo activity to your facebook page if you set things up to do so.

The purpose of the change was to try to cut back on anonymous commenters and introduce a higher level of accountability in what people are spewing in the comments sections. A goal I'm not entirely unsympathetic to.

[chillfactor]

2. I for one do not want....

what I say on HP to appear on my FB page....that is an intrusion on my privacy....my FB page is strictly for family and friends.....not to be used for political statements

[politicaljunkie41910]

4. Also, employers and prospective employers are now checking out people's FB accounts

and using it as a basis to not hire people. Not that I have anything to hide, but I agree with you that it's not HP's business and an invasion of privacy.

[politicaljunkie41910]

3. I disagree with what you've said. The following is what the HP site states if you click on the

button to see what you need to do to verify your HP account.

Connect your verified Facebook account

All of your past Huffington Post comments will be displayed with the name associated with your connected Facebook account as well as your Huffington Post Username.


Perhaps it's a misunderstanding on my part, and it is as you say, but I don't like the idea of having to give them my info on another website for them to link HP posts to. Besides, they already filter comments and have the ability to not post offending comments. But whatever.

[okaawhatever]

5. Someone posted the "fine print" from the agreement to let HP use Facebook. It's more

than just having your HP posts show up on Facebook, it's HP gathering all the info about you and your friends from Facebooik. I'm fairly confident there's some sort of info sharing going on between the two. It's monopolistic practices aimed at collecting even more data on you to sell to third parties. Sorry, I'm like you....not going to happen.

I sympathize with not wanting trolls on their website, but it will only be a couple of days before the paid for right wing trolls fake Facebook accounts and show back up. There's other ways to avoid trolls on their website IMHO>

[gcomeau]

10. I've been signed up for days. Disagree away.

They display your name *on your Huffpo comments*. That being the whole point of the change, to cut back anonymous postings in the comments section.

The comments do not then go back and show up on your facebook page... (unless you set things up in your facebook settings to make them that is)

[KoKo]

17. So they can track the Real Name you use on Facebook back to

your "Handle" that you used to post on Huff Post?

Is that Correct and why so many are upset about this?

[gcomeau]

23. Ummm.. if someone was really insanely intersested in what you said on Huffpo

I suppose there would be some way to do that. I worry about it about as much as I worry about any of my friends and family trying to get an investigator to look up my credit score or something. I suppose they *could*... but who cares. They wouldn't bother.

[rhett o rick]

8. You either accept anonymous comments or you dont.

"The purpose of the change was to try to cut back on anonymous commenters and introduce a higher level of accountability in what people are spewing in the comments sections. A goal I'm not entirely unsympathetic to."

If you eliminate anonymous comments, only the crazies will comment.

[gcomeau]

11. Ummm..

"If you eliminate anonymous comments, only the crazies will comment."

WHAT?

[rhett o rick]

14. We have had letters to the editor of newspapers for years. The crazies are always in there

not afraid to post their name. Average folks are reluctant to speak out for fear of being bullied.

[TheBlackAdder]

18. You've hit the nail on the head.

People want anonymity, especially from their Tea Party neighbors.

I have family who are politically active and, in the past, the opposing party members tried to link my person to the other people. They are different entities and are completely independent, though the attempt to discount them or cast associations to political beliefs were attempted by numerous people.


===


I've posed this same thread earlier today.

One of the replies mentioned setting up shell FB accounts to link to, which can easily be done.

This 'verification' process is just a ruse to force people to link their Facebook accounts to HP and expand their exposure. I believe this has very little to do with accountability and more to do with profits. They tried to get people to link accounts by promising them a Level-2 Networker Badge if users did so, but not many people took the bait.


===

The nuts, the passive, and those who will game the system will be the only ones who will post on HP.

Anyone who wants to interject alternative viewpoints, ones that can get them harassed at home, at work when the employer sees what they post, or on Facebook... will shy away from posting on HP anymore.

Facebook is an NSA contributor.

Can you imagine if this were 10 years ago and we were forced to register on RUPERT MURDOCH'S MySpace?

[spanone]

12. and what if don't facebook?

[davidn3600]

15. You are assuming that the crazies won't comment anymore...

I see people posting all sorts of racist and homophobic shit on facebook and twitter everyday. What makes you think this will cut back on that stuff.

[TheBlackAdder]

16. That's not True! People will create shell FB accounts. This is to expand their FB exposure.

I opened this very thread earlier this morning when I was presented with the FB link request.

I was previously advised that older account holders would be grandfathered so as not to link to FB.


===


People can create shell FB accounts to link to. This just means that Huffington Post will attract those types of people.

I have politically active family and I don't want my posts to be associated with their entities, as many have tried before.


===

Since, the facade of 'verifiability' is just that, this means that HP actually has another objective.

They have been trying to get people to link their Facebook accounts for years by awarding them the distinction of being a Level-2 Networker. You can only become a Level-2 or higher if you link to Facebook. Not that many people did that.

I submit that this move is just an expansion of their social networking desires and has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to to with the verification of account holders.

They are using the account verification as a ruse to force Facebook linkage, to increase exposure and possible FB discounts, funding, or whatever companies get when they share data with FB.

[KoKo]

19. I think you Nailed it. It's always about Money with Arianna..

And...since this is her site along with the AOL Merge...then as a businesswoman it's her RIGHT to do what she's done.

But, agree from the posts I've read about it...it's just Zuckerberg using his influence and Huff Post needing money going along with it. NEXT they will need your TWITTER ACCOUNT and all other sites you post on.

Full Disclosure: I do "FB" under an assumed name and don't have a Twitter account and have never Commented on "Huff Post"..but have been fascinated by all the Websites (Including DU) that try to force you into posting on all these sites that I have little interest in to post on. I read everything I can about how the "New Internet-Business Model" is being Co-Opted by Business/Money...because I'm an "Open Internet Freedom Advocate"...and so I find the new turn towards Monetizing it All very troublesome.

It's about the MONEY. If you are vocal and want your opinion on the INTERNET...then SUCK UP and DEAL WITH IT!

I refuse to do that.

[gcomeau]

25. Yes... *some* people will.

And when you pass laws against theft *some* people will still steal stuff. so?

[JennE]

24. manipulative HP

HOWEVER.....whether or not your HP comments appear on your FB, HP still has access to your friends list and your newsfeed which is everything you and your friends do, say, and post on FB. There is no way in hell HP is going to follow me or my friends.

Secondly, the idea being on FB makes anyone accountable is a joke nobody would believe. People on HP threads have described setting up a fake FB and buying a disposable cell phone to verify the account. HP knows this.

Secondly people have been bullied to death on FB.

No, this is just about HP wanting to know everything you and your friends do on FB so they can use it for their own vicarious vile manipulative purpose.

Posting on the internet with your real name is like living in a small town and letting everyone know everything about you including your health information, sex habits, political opinions. You are making yourself a proverbial sitting duck.

[MiLadyDre]

27. Agree to a certain degree

I agree with you to a certain degree. But, in order to verify my FB i have to give FB my cell phone number. A prospect I do not intend to do. FB has not proven themselves capable of keeping our information private nor do they seem to feel its necessary to do so. I dont want to give FB my private phone number for any reason. That is why I cannot verify my HB or my FB which sucks. I love HP, but I will be cancelling my access to it because I dont want to give any more information to FB than I have already.

[gcomeau]

28. As someone who grew up...

...thinking it perfectly ordinary that everyone had everyone's phone number in a big yellow book I've never gotten the anxiety over the thought of anyone getting their hands on your phone number. But that's just me.

[Plays With Mud]

30. Why do they want the friends list

and what are they going to do with it. I don't mind if they have my Facebook account as long as I can have it not show up on my site but I have a hard time giving out friend list without the friends permission.

[lpbk2713]

6. I need HuffPo less than they need me.

I won't miss HuffPo.

[Vashta Nerada]

7. Don't people make fake facebook accounts?

It's not really that big of a deal.

[Skittles]

13. you're contributing to the so-called popularity of that piece of SHIT site

STOP IT ALREADY!

[1000words]

9. Trying to remove the element of anonymity from a website is a poor business decision

ESPN's traffic is significantly down since requiring a FB account to post comments. Sooner or later, Folks will move on from HuffPo, Youtube and the like.

[TheBlackAdder]

20. I dropped Salon for the same reason. I rarely visit it anymore. RIP Salon n/t

[KoKo]

21. But...where will they go? That's the worry. n/t

[1000words]

22. I'm confident something will bubble up

There's likely a geek somewhere working on something right now. Much of today's web-based technology has its origins from rebellious spite.

[HockeyMom]

26. Same here

No thanks, to Huffington but I live in Florida and my daughters in NY. Yes, they post nice pix on Facebook plus my younger daughter is having our first Grandson this May so Facebook is a good way for the entire family across the country to keep in touch.

[polichick]

29. Why does HP even allow comments - anytime I've bothered to read them...

there were endless hateful comments to wade through.