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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think that 'People You May Know' function could ruin Facebook.

195 replies

takemeuptheeiffeltower · 13/04/2015 17:02

We all like Facebook because it helps us keep in touch with people, especially if they live far away,.
But if we're honest, whilst we are keeping in touch most of us also like to have an annonymous nose around to see who's doing what! Wink It's part of the fun.
Anyway, it's human nature to be inquisitive nosey
But if people can see that you have searched for them Shock and vice versa, then I can see people leaving FB in droves.

Have FB gone too far this time?

OP posts:
letscookbreakfast · 13/04/2015 17:04

Correct me if I'm wrong but Facebook users cannot tell who have searched for them.

QueQuesto · 13/04/2015 17:04

It's been around for yonks has it not?

TheShouldersOfGiants · 13/04/2015 17:05

The people you may know thing isn't new.

Where does the part about people knowing you have searched from them come in? Like, I need to know... you know, for a friend...

AnxiousWreck · 13/04/2015 17:05

It hasn't changed. It has always been as it is now.

Justmuddlingalong · 13/04/2015 17:05

Definitely. It's like being caught listening through the wall with a glass.

DoJo · 13/04/2015 17:06

That's not how it works - it scrapes other data from your account, it doesn't keep a record of who you're searching for stalking.

Pantone363 · 13/04/2015 17:06

That's not how it works at all.

It's mutual friends and then tenuous links. FB do not let you know who has searched for you and said there is no possible way any software could tell you that.

Sallystyle · 13/04/2015 17:07

You can nose and be safe in the knowledge that no ones knows you looked for them.

so YABU because that is not how it works and has been a feature for years.

Gillianschmillion · 13/04/2015 17:08

I think it also matches phone numbers with FB accounts. I was speaking to a real estate agent last week and saved him as a contact. He appeared in my 'people you might know'.

CrystalCove · 13/04/2015 17:09

You're mistaken OP, people can't see who you have searched for, despite the fake warnings that appear about this every so often. People you may know has nothing to do with searching for people.

Justmuddlingalong · 13/04/2015 17:10

Honestly? I thought the people I check up on for a laugh look at, could tell I'd been doing it. Just recently I seem to be getting lots of 'people you may know' emails. All of which are not friends or friends of friends. I thought the privacy settings must have changed recently.

FuckingLiability · 13/04/2015 17:10

FB doesn't base 'people you may know' on who you've searched for.

Justmuddlingalong · 13/04/2015 17:13
Grin
DocHollywood · 13/04/2015 17:14

I've stopped searching for people on LinkedIn because they know you've searched for them but searching for exes on FB is completely safe! (Hopefully) Grin

BishopBrennansArse · 13/04/2015 17:14

Ahhhh that's why my acupuncturist, family support worker and scout leader popped up in there!

unlucky83 · 13/04/2015 17:14

I've heard the 'they can't tell you searched for them stuff' before ....but... 'some of the people you may know' links are so Hmm
(Warning - Linkedin definitely does track who you search for - as I found out to my embarrassment!)
I have a facebook stalker account - fake name etc, just to be on the safe side...it doesn't like you doing it (think it might even be against the rules...Wink), it will try and not let you sign in as a different user etc (need to sign out, close down your browser etc) ...but at least I am 100% certain people I've stalked have no idea who my alter ego is Grin

sugarplumfairy · 13/04/2015 17:14

LinkedIn shows who has looked at your profile, so I am sure Facebook could do it if they wanted to.

FuckingLiability · 13/04/2015 17:15

facecrooks.com/Internet-Safety-Privacy/Washington-Post-How-Does-Facebook-Know-Who-All-Of-Your-Friends-Are.html/

Excerpt:

When you register for Facebook, the site asks permission to scan your email contacts or mobile contacts, depending on what device you’re using to access the site. It then finds which of your friends are already on the site and combines that knowledge with other information you provide, including where you live, where you were born and where you went to school. It then uses each one of your social interactions on the site to build a more complete picture of your network. From there, it isn’t hard for the site to guess people you may know.

While Facebook’s algorithms can only do so much to guess your social circles, the site is dedicated to constantly improving its models. In other words, don’t expect Facebook to know less about you any time soon.

muminhants · 13/04/2015 17:16

If you don't want people on LinkedIn to know you've been looking at their profiles you can change your settings. But then you won't be able to see who's been having a nose at yours :)

FuckingLiability · 13/04/2015 17:20

I removed my Linked In profile entirely. The privacy controls are shockingly bad. Forex, if someone has a Pro account, they can get an export of all the email addresses of everyone on their contact list.

unlucky83 · 13/04/2015 17:20

My alter ego account is linked to one of my email accounts ...that has no contacts...
(but it does forward on to my main email account - as my other 2 email accounts do too)
Funnily enough I've never had a people you may know email to that friendless and contact less account - so it does seem like it doesn't track who you stalk...but I'd still rather not chance it...

SwedishEdith · 13/04/2015 17:20

I posted this in the other fb thread but www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/10/facebook-admits-it-tracks-non-users-but-denies-claims-it-breaches-eu-privacy-law. So, even if you don't have an fb account, it can watch what you're up to. Grin FB also owns instagram and whatsapp so harvests all your contacts and links from there.

ShouldIworryornothelp · 13/04/2015 17:22

It does show people whove been snooping.

I don't have work people on my Facebook and don't have any mutual friends with colleagues, yet several people in my team and also ex colleagues who I don't have any form of contact with at all turned up in 'people you may know'

Original poster
takemeuptheeiffeltower · 13/04/2015 17:24

The people you may know thing isn't new.

You are right. People you may know has been on FB for a long time, but it used to be more low-key and it was mainly friends of friends that were suggested.
But they seem to have upped it a notch and it's become a bit creepy and intense and people don't like it. That's what's new.

OP posts:
TheIncredibleBookEatingManchot · 13/04/2015 17:24

I have a fake stalker account on FB. Doesn't everyone.....?

When I log in as my alter ego all the people you may know suggestions are people whose profiles I've looked at.