Filed under: Internet, Blogging, web 2.0
Facebook sez, "Don't mind us, we're just whoring out your photos"
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[original post below]
But it's OK. Really!
See, according to Facebook it's all part of the acceptable use policy you agreed to. No, I'm not kidding. That red box above contains an ad that was displayed to Peter Smith, who no doubt agrees that the woman in the image is hot -- although he suspected she wasn't single. You guessed it, that's his wife - consultant Cheryl Smith.
Is this not the same Facebook that just went back and retooled a TOS that users found objectionable? Didn't they just finish apologizing and kissing our butts over the crapstorm that ensued?
Here's what the Facebook settings page has to say:
All you have to do to prevent this is sign in to Facebook and click through to (get ready) -> Settings -> Privacy -> News Feed and Wall -> Facebook Ads -> Appearance in Facebook Ads and click "no one." Unless, of course, you want to be semifamous and have your picture used to push some garbage product or website without your knowledge. (note: when I tried to make this change just now, the site returned an error. oh, and it might not work in Firefox either due to a 'bug.')Facebook occasionally pairs advertisements with relevant social actions from a user's friends to create Facebook Ads. Facebook Ads make advertisements more interesting and more tailored to you and your friends. These respect all privacy rules.
I guess since we can turn this abomination off we shouldn't get too worked up about it. Still, it's pretty damn unsavory to use someone's friend's face to advertise a product and give the appearance that that friend might endorse it.
Yes, if it had been my wife's face staring back at me I would have had a good laugh. And when I stopped, I would have been right pissed that Facebook thinks this qualifies as "acceptable use."
Update: curiously, though my setting was "only my friends" earlier and I was unsuccessful changing it myself it has somehow changed to "no one." Did Facebook just pull a switcheroo to save face?
[via End of Web]
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Each ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DeoWulf said 9:08PM on 7-16-2009
A note: for some reason, Adblock Plus blocks the controls on the Facebook Ads tab. You need to disable Adblock on that page to change the setting. Tricky, tricky...
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Dan said 10:06PM on 7-16-2009
Yeah, I just noticed that myself. Good spot!
pat1202003 said 11:31PM on 7-16-2009
Thanks for the tip. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on.
Martin-T said 1:28AM on 7-17-2009
Thanks for posting this on ABP.
tom8gem said 5:53PM on 7-18-2009
Where does one go to do this?
Kevin said 9:39PM on 7-16-2009
Weird, mine was set to "No one" by default (never even knew the setting was there so I couldn't have set it myself). Did they just change it to opt-in, or are people complaining after they've given permission?
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Hylic said 11:31PM on 7-16-2009
Well by me it was set to "only my friends" , so i don't think they changed the default setting (yet?).
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CB said 11:53PM on 7-16-2009
The default setting probably depends on what you had your privacy settings at to begin with.
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Dr. Evil Genius said 10:08AM on 7-17-2009
Maybe it could be random with only good-looking people falling victim... Thank goodness I am ugly!!
Dave A. said 12:40AM on 7-17-2009
Lee, I got an error when using an app on Facebook last week, despite everything working out correctly. I only realized that after I looked and saw two sets of identical-looking notices.
I don't think they're trying to pull the wool over your eyes, but rather it's one of those, "You got an error: Everything is okay!" deals. I don't understand it, either.
Getting rid of those false endorsements was absolutely the first thing I did after getting a Facebook account.
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mazzthepianoman said 3:44AM on 7-17-2009
If you are using Firefox be sure to disable the addon "Adblock Plus" or you will not be able to see the option to change it.
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laura said 5:31AM on 7-17-2009
Works like a charm in chrome, thanks for the tip
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j.howlett said 5:59AM on 7-17-2009
this is funny and upsetting at the same time. reminds me of what happened to that disney girl.
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Drew Green said 7:32AM on 7-17-2009
Thanks for the heads up Lee. Don't really want my co-workers seeing me advertise random crap.
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Firas said 9:19AM on 7-17-2009
That screenshot is not a facebook ad. It's the quiz app accessing a friend picture.
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JK said 11:30AM on 7-17-2009
...my "Facebook Ads" tab shows up blank... no "no one" option (or any other) to be found...???
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47images said 11:32AM on 7-17-2009
Never mind... it shows up in Chrome... but not in Firefox 3.5.1 --boo! :-)
Insomnic said 3:34PM on 7-17-2009
As previous posters mentioned... turn off AdBlock Plus or it won't display.
Molly said 12:04PM on 7-17-2009
quit whining, Lee! :)
those who are of the impression that their personal information and/or photos are safe with the likes of Facebook, should have their head examined.
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Lee Mathews said 12:07PM on 7-17-2009
Laugh...I'm just mad that it wasn't my own picture trying to sell me Viagra.