Do You Want Facebook to Open Up? (POLL)
Facebook made a big move today to open up user activity streams to outside applications and websites. We argued that the site remains fundamentally closed because outside developers can't access the full stream of all users' activity and information due to limiting privacy controls and friend connections. A very interesting debate broke out in the comments on our post and it makes us wonder about the following question. Do people really want Facebook to open up or do they prefer it to remain by default private?
There are good arguments in favor of both keeping Facebook info private by default and opening it up by default. Which would you prefer?
Eric Marcoulier articulated two arguments well in favor of openness when he said today that, "FaceBook's Open Streams is a great step forward, but it's still authorization-based. Call me when someone can build 'Summize for FaceBook.' [Summize is now known as Search.Twitter.com] I don't care about privacy on FB (others feel same). I'm sure someday I'll be able to set my profile public and be a happy guy."
As the founder of a service that exists to spread data around (Gnip), Marcoulier no doubt is excited to think about all the mashups and analysis that could be done with Facebook data if it were more open.
That's not a typical response to this matter, we'd guess. Facebook is dramatically different from most other social networks because, by default, user data can only be seen by friends who have been given permission to see it. That means privacy for users and less access for developers.
There's something to be said in favor of privacy. The internet is chipping a whole lot of it away very quickly. Private communication can be more comfortable and free for many people because it implies that trust is present. If there were no private communication available online, that would be a disaster.
But, do you want Facebook to be private by default and continue putting such emphasis on privacy? Or, would you be happy with a little less privacy and a little more rapid communication and innovation built on top of your social network? Everyone knows their grocery store does nothing but sell addresses to advertisers when shopping activity is exposed to 3rd parties, but people expect cool new features from Facebook. They might be willing to be flexible in order to get them.
A middle ground might be to allow anonymous, aggregate analysis of user activity data and social connections. Outside parties could know not that you sent a message about being pregnant to your ex-boyfriend's mother on Facebook, for example, but could populate a database of conversations between people with certain traits, certain connections, and on certain keywords with their names removed. That might be unrealistic as well, we could see some partial form of that kind of data availability. That much is probably just a pipe dream!
Facebook is likely to announce support for inbound OpenID from other networks within the next few hours, probably at an event starting at 4pm PST. That's interesting, but it's not really important at all compared to this big question. What will be done with all this Facebook data? Anything? Are users willing to let things be done with it?
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I don't share anything very personal on Facebook, but I still want control over my data. Even Twitter gives you the option to set your updates as protected. On Facebook, I think the default should be that data is private. If they go with the default being public, users should be notified and given ample opportunity to change their settings explicitly. If users are not able to set data to be private, then I, for one, will be deleting my Facebook account.
I'm not terribly secretive, but I use Facebook as a more personal space, post pics of my kids, interact with friends and family, etc. I'd just as soon be able to control my privacy settings for that.
I see both dangers and opportunities in granting access to Facevook data. One one site, I am very eager to start using all this infomation. I would fx love to know which type of events you are interested in. On the other hand, I am also very skeptic!
To be honest, I dont really trust facebook. Though I do think they build a VERY nice service, that the site is VERY usefull, they developed a VERY nice API. In terms of social media, they the biggest singel "website" out there. Facebook is a multi levelled and used by millions of people around the globe! Did you know that more than 40% of ALL danes use (Denmark, that is - where I live).
To me, Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook crew always seemed very "closed" in terms of MY rights. They say MY terms and conditions are "democratic" - though I dont think so! I only had 6 hours to discuss the recent changes in FB terms. At least that is what was announced on the actual Facebook site - on twitter I discussed the subject more (@sorenrt).
In this article, I voted: "Maybe in part, though I'd prefer not to have my name attached to the data when it gets worked with."
Only 16% of the articles readers voted this (01:36 +1 GMT).
As a serial entrepreneuer, I hope that facebook will let me access SOME user data (not personal). I would still like to keep my privacy in terms of "anything that can track me back to you". I think users should have the possibility to access all facebook data, and then grant access. I want to build applications, and then share them cross mediavice (facebook, twitter, iPhone, Android, iGoogle, Widgets, Open Standards etc.......).
And then again.. do I really want facebook to have more "power" on the Internet, and still have the final say in terms of MY RUGHTS? And can Mark Zuckerberg handle all of this, without being to "greedy"?
And then the final question: WHO CAN WATCH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION? CIA? ANTI TERROR PPL? FRIENDS OF FACEBOOK? WHO?
If you think Facebook is closed (with all the opportunities for plug in applications) then dont think about Xing, where you even have to pay to send messages.
Bernd
Hey Marshall,
Nice work on generating so much attention today!
My 2 cents:
Facebook is fundamentally different than Twitter in that it is a trusted communication channel between family and REAL friends that exist in the real world. Twitter, on the other hand, is a megaphone through which you broadcast to as many people as possible - most of whom you have never met.
The "trusted communication channel" is the basis of value for Facebook, and requires tight privacy controls to be effective. On the other hand, the "broadcastiness" of Twitter is the basis of its value, and requires full openness to be effective.
This is why Twitter will never be Facebook, and why Facebook will never be Twitter. This is a GOOD thing!
It is also why you are not going to win this battle. :-)
Keep up the great work, MK!
Cheers,
Mike
"The "trusted communication channel" is the basis of value for Facebook, and requires tight privacy controls to be effective. On the other hand, the "broadcastiness" of Twitter is the basis of its value, and requires full openness to be effective."
Email is the trusted communication channel. Twitter is the open communication channel. Facebook is kind of a murky halvesy, that wants to make more money than both of them combined.
Open up fully, plz.
Using isayusay, you can post stylish social mail and open chats to Twitter to get the global exposure. Otherwise, enjoy having private talks during open chats while replying to social mail or engaging with a Let'sTalk group.
I absolutly confirm what Mike (Michael facebook) wrote in his post. Round like a dot.
The privacy part of facebook is a big base of it's identity. Loosing that is a step in the wrong direction.
Why not have it all by allowing the user to designate certain messages and actions as public and hence could be seen on Facebook's version of the public timeline? Seriously, it's that simple. Users would have to deliberately opt-in in this scenario.
My guess is that Facebook has thought of this and decided against this level of openness. They must have their reason(s).
Facebook is very different from Twitter in retaining privacy. And success in FB is not rated by the bigger network you have, but your activity. As far as I am concerned, I would be for this if it is at least within the marginal limits of privacy and never extend beyond that.
I'm a big believer in open technologies, so sure ... let's do it.
I use Twitter and Facebook in two different ways ... I DO NOT want to see Facebook open, I like the privacy!
barely! 44% support at least anonymous opening - that's way more support than the Newsfeed got! ;)
Posted by: Marshall Kirkpatrick
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April 30, 2009 7:09 PM
Life is nothing but straggle for existance
Do You Want Facebook to Open Up? (POLL) http://bit.ly/oAjDh [from http://twitter.com/marshallk/statuses/1633422989]
Posted by: Marshall Kirkpatrick
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May 24, 2009 10:31 AM
i am form usa.i am looking for a good friend
want to be a member of facebook