Facebook is far Creepier than I realised!

[Rainbunny]

I usually don't believe the warnings about facebook tracking stuff, like the post last week where the OP was worried that her ex could see that she'd been looking at his fb page. Then I read this article which explains a lot of strange things that I've experienced on FB, friend suggestions etc... I guess I'm posting this as more of a public service announcement than an AIBU. Definitely going to check my fb settings on my phone now!

www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/10/why_did_facebook_suggest_i_friend_my_ex.single.html

Easy tiger
It was a joke

The thing to remember on the Internet is that if you're getting something for free (Facebook, gmail,tumblr, eeven Mumsnet itself) then you're the product.

Gmail is particularly bad - they're bots actually look at the content of your emails not just header information in order to target ads.

What I find depressing is that even gmail's algorithms know how deeply boring my life is. I was having a jokey conversation one night with an American friend about "hunky male movie character dipped in chocolate" - she started getting targeted ads for sexy lingerie and Godiva chocolates, I sstarted getting targeted ads for conservatories. Not only does it invade my privacy, it insults me, and worst of all, it's probably right.

So glad I don't have a smart phone or use the app for FB on my tablet. So much easier! I get enough of the arse when it wants to sync with my Hotmail account - no actually, fuck off!

D'oh - "their". DS did not pay attention to the hour change.

It's just trying to keep you on the path of righteousness, Lurcio

I know people who have been asked to provide ID too, it's not that uncommon. U figure I must have done something right, privacy-wise, because at least 80% of my "people I may know" are complete strangers, living all round the country, and with whom I share no mutual friends. God knows how fb comes up with them, I'd love to know.

I figure, obviously ...

Anastasie they were happy for me to open a new account without asking for any ID. I like facebook because I live on the other side of the world to a lot of my friends, but I will happily forgo it the day that they start asking everyone for ID.

But the policy they have now is a great one for allowing governments to shut down critical voices. I am not an activist, but really, how safe would it be for an activist in a repressive country to give their proper name on facebook and then start criticising the regime?

Don't you have to provide id if someone reports you as a fake account?

Yes, but what is a fake account?