Facebook apps leak user information: report

[babylonsister]

This is going on my FB page; I wonder how long it will remain there?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2010/10/facebook_apps_leak_user_information_report.php?ref=fpa

Facebook apps leak user information: report
REUTERS
Reuters US Online Report Technology News
Oct 18, 2010 06:54 EDT


(Reuters) - Facebook users are inadvertently providing access to their names and in some cases even their friend's names to advertising and Internet tracking companies, through some popular applications, the Wall Street Journal said.

According to the Journal's investigation, the issue affects tens of millions of Facebook app users, including people who set their profiles to Facebook's strictest privacy settings, the paper said.

The practice violates Facebook's rules and raises questions about its ability to keep identifiable information about its users' activities secure, the paper said.

On Sunday, a Facebook spokesman told the Journal that it is taking steps to "dramatically limit" the exposure of users' personal information.

more...

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2010/10/facebook_apps_leak_user_information_report.php?ref=fpa

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Much as I think FB is a hoot and can be useful, it's all about the $$$$$

Just like everything. Greedy MFSOBs.

[leveymg]

2. This is an issue with HTML5 that Facebook (and others) use for some features.

If you're on Facebook, a lot of sites (e.g., Amazon.com) now know your identity when you go to their site. HTML5 has a "super cookie" component that is stored in multiple places in your hard-drive (you might not be able to get rid of it by flushing your cookies). HTML5 stores information about your web browsing -- sites visited, photos viewed, even your e-mail -- that's readable by anyone who has the decoder software installed at any site you might visit.

This is a DEFINITE privacy and security threat. Unfortunately, it's not just Facebook and Amazon using it.

[Wednesdays]

3. So, how DOES one get rid of these supercookies?

:shrug:

I'm a bit of a computer novice when it comes to these things.

[leveymg]

4. The easiest way to get rid of cookies is with a free program, CCleaner

It'll allow you to flush your system of Internet caches, including cookies in one easy step. I don't know if it'll take care of all forms of HTML5-enabled tracking.

One thing you might want to try, if you have a Facebook account, is to go to Amazon.com, and see if it notifies you with your screen name. If it does, try dumping your cookies -- there's a way to do it with Firefox: Tools-Options-Privacy. See if that works.

Good luck! I think the big corporate sites will be forced to modify this use of HTML5, as there's growing opposition.

[slackmaster]

5. WWGPS?

[MilesColtrane]

6. Bug or Business Model?

Of course it's a bug - after they get caught.