Facebook wants your ID?  

Posted by Jeffrey Millan in ,

Recently in BusinessWeek there was a article published by Douglas MacMillan about Facebook leaning towards the development of identity technology. This is not official yet, but Facebook is thinking of creating digital calling cards for it's members that will identify people just about anywhere they go on the Internet. Since Facebook is the world's largest networking site their stake in this new idea is their potential to reap a fortune by helping customize advertising and product pitches to the characteristics of each of their users. Another way this unveiling of privacy is being justified is the fact that the majority of online activities people participate in already leave some kind of trace of your identity already, but there is no widely accepted identity online. These changes can open the door to other companies profiting off of Facebook's data. Already we can see traces that Facebook may actually make this leap with some of the adjustments Facebook has recently made to their privacy settings. Users are no longer able to hide their name, gender, profile picture, and hometown from anyone who views their profile. The recent actions of Facebook and their future prospects have privacy advocates feeling a little shaky.

3 comments

Ashley McCaslin   says January 6, 2010 at 6:18 PM

The entire issue of privacy online, whether it is through facebook or other online activities have me torn. My initial reaction is to say that tracking people online to this degree is wrong and an invasion of privacy. People should be able to decide how much information is given out about them.

On the other hand, going online is like inviting someone into your house. By letting them in, you are giving them access to anything inside. I would like to see some set of regulations saying that consumers have the right to agree to how much information is collected and dispersed about them.

Meaghan Lada   says January 7, 2010 at 6:14 AM

I also was torn when I learned how much of my information can be accessed so easily. Originally, I thought my information was mainly private, and in rare situations may be "hacked" into. I found it to be shocking that the average person can learn how to find out the location of the computer a person is using. However, I do not think that most people understand either. In my opinion, I think if parents and even the younger generation found out how easy their "internet privacy" can be accessed they may be somewhat more careful.

I also agree with Ashley's point stating that as people access a website, in a way they invite others to see it. But, similarly to the point I made about people being aware, I think if people really understood this concept they may change the sites they visit.

The privacy people have over the internet is going to continue to decrease over time, it is such a scarey idea.

Gonzalo Ciurlizza   says January 7, 2010 at 1:58 PM

The thought that anyone can find out everything about me few a clicks of a button is extremely terrifying. I also thought my information was private. I also agree that people should be asked up front and not in a 50 page privacy agreement how much information they want shared with the world. I guess the problem I have is that people you don't in your life, are in it now. On the other hand, people you do want now have all the information they could ever want now.

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