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The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

nytimes.com

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Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#31

Post by Natsu »

kalleboo wrote: post #30
notyourwork wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can I re-phrase your question? "Why do we allow people to voluntarily hand over their own information at their own will?" Sounds much different when its phrase properly and not accusatory.

If it said up-front "this data will be collated and eventually used to emotionally manipulate you", I'd agree with you that people give the information up of their own will.

Can you explain how an OCEAN score helps do that?

Because I have yet to be convinced that knowing how open, agreeable, etc. someone translates into manipulation and the article did not even attempt to explain that, it just said this has some vague relation to Trump & Brexit and left us to assume it was a magic X factor.

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#33

Post by dpweb »

ENTP wrote: post #3

I'd suspected for years about such quizzes. Initially, I assumed the posts to calculate your (porn/movie/etc) name was a low grade phishing exercise as it asked you to mix personal data that are often used in security questions (eg first pet name plus mothers maiden name). This is a whole new level, but entirely unsurprising. Facebook is a data mining platform. Remembering that is nothing but a good thing.

i pride myself on spotting phishing and fake emails but the porn name game omg missed that one!

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#34

Post by stephancoral »

legodt wrote: post #22
Rapzid wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure how the Dem's will compete with this going forward. Maybe it will become taboo and they won't have to. Maybe they already are.. I hope they don't go too deep into the mud on this. It's almost impressive though how well the Republicans, and Trump specifically, are employing these, IMHO shady, tactics. Is it scandalous how little scandal is made of all this(the FUD, populist rhetoric, phycological manipula…

I think the fact that the Dems ran Clinton despite more support in key demos for Bernie shows that as of right now they aren't very interested in following data if it conflicts with their other agendas. If this trend continues and extends down to congressional elections, etc. for both parties as it is now (Republicans ready to follow data to build campaigns, Democrats playing out of an opaque narrative), this could s…

It's funny because people were playing this exact card during the 2012 election due to Obama's tech-savvy reëlection effort. A lot can change in four years.

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#35

Post by ma2rten »

Natsu wrote: post #31
kalleboo wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it said up-front "this data will be collated and eventually used to emotionally manipulate you", I'd agree with you that people give the information up of their own will.

Can you explain how an OCEAN score helps do that? Because I have yet to be convinced that knowing how open, agreeable, etc. someone translates into manipulation and the article did not even attempt to explain that, it just said this has some vague relation to Trump & Brexit and left us to assume it was a magic X factor.

It was pretty clear to me:

"Mr. Trump’s digital team used [individually targeted] posts to serve different ads to different potential voters, aiming to push the exact right buttons. [...] A pro-gun voter whose Ocean score ranks him high on neuroticism could see storm clouds and a threat: The Democrat wants to take his guns away. A separate pro-gun voter deemed agreeable and introverted might see an ad emphasizing tradition and community values, a father and son hunting together."

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#36

Post by angry-hacker »

ENTP wrote: post #3

I'd suspected for years about such quizzes. Initially, I assumed the posts to calculate your (porn/movie/etc) name was a low grade phishing exercise as it asked you to mix personal data that are often used in security questions (eg first pet name plus mothers maiden name). This is a whole new level, but entirely unsurprising. Facebook is a data mining platform. Remembering that is nothing but a good thing.

I remember in 2000's there was a sex quiz that spread like a worm where you answered personal questions. My friend sent me a link and of course I answered all the details for him to read. Then I sent my link wanting for revenge etc. I can't remember what was my motivation to answer, maybe I was young and just thought it's cool. I do know what was the motivation to spread it further...

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#37

Post by angry-hacker »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #23
ENTP wrote: post #3

I'd suspected for years about such quizzes. Initially, I assumed the posts to calculate your (porn/movie/etc) name was a low grade phishing exercise as it asked you to mix personal data that are often used in security questions (eg first pet name plus mothers maiden name). This is a whole new level, but entirely unsurprising. Facebook is a data mining platform. Remembering that is nothing but a good thing.

Especially quizzes like "where was your first job?" or "what's your favorite movie?" all sounded like phishing for security question answers.

It is much harder nowadays, but around 2000 every Hotmail account was protected only by these easy one sentence questions. It was trivial to open accounts if you wanted to. Favorite football club, pets name - - just ask the target. I remember I was young and was wondering why is it so easy to 'hack' Hotmail.

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#38

Post by angry-hacker »

ChuckMcM wrote: post #23
ENTP wrote: post #3

I'd suspected for years about such quizzes. Initially, I assumed the posts to calculate your (porn/movie/etc) name was a low grade phishing exercise as it asked you to mix personal data that are often used in security questions (eg first pet name plus mothers maiden name). This is a whole new level, but entirely unsurprising. Facebook is a data mining platform. Remembering that is nothing but a good thing.

Especially quizzes like "where was your first job?" or "what's your favorite movie?" all sounded like phishing for security question answers.

Just got an evil idea.. You can target on fb and Google by email lists. You create some stupid web app with questions and promise something in return, a prize, or make it worthwhile to play and target them with all the security questions email accounts or whatever might ask. Could be that this is being done for phising already if the victims are being targeted specifically and don't have 2fa.

Re: The Secret Agenda of a Facebook Quiz

#39

Post by pdkl95 »

notyourwork wrote: post #24
divbit wrote: post #20

Seriously. Why do we allow this kind of data collection. This is ridiculous. Edit: the commenter who responded has pointed out that this is phrased fairly accusatory. Should the fact that there is probably a data cloud out there about me being used to manipulate me through subliminal type messaging not be upsetting? I don't think I have ever signed up for a service with the expectation that whatever information is co…

Can I re-phrase your question? "Why do we allow people to voluntarily hand over their own information at their own will?" Sounds much different when its phrase properly and not accusatory.

> voluntarily ... at their own will

That's incredibly rare. Most peopled don't understand the type and amount of data being collected or the power of modern analysis methods. This kind of data collection needs to have the informed consent of those involved. That is a significantly higher standard than getting someone to click "I Agree" or pretending they read and understood the ToS.

Even among the minority that do understand at least the general shape of what will be done with their data, most people - correctly or incorrect -believe they don't have any choice (no alternatives).

> Sounds much different when its phrase properly and not accusatory.

Yes. It sounds like a cheap excuse that doesn't reflect reality. It may reduce conative dissonance and/or guilt to pretend that people are participating in a voluntary transaction, but it's still an attempt to manipulate and scam people... or worse.

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