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Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

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Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#21

Post by downandout »

dragonwriter wrote: post #12

Since everything Facebook does requires consent under Article 6 (or, in some cases, Article 9) of the GDPR, what, exactly, should they do otherwise that would not violate clear proscriptions in the GDPR? This isn't a case where there is non-GDPR functionality that can be severed and provided in the absence of GDPR consent.

GDPR is quite unclear about..well...almost everything. But, for example, this guy wants to read his own messages, which is a rather popular use of Facebook. If they wanted to comply with GDPR, they could easily present him a dialog asking solely for permission to process the data necessary to show him his messages. Instead, they are asking for his consent to their entire new privacy policy. That policy includes permissions for functions that are not absolutely necessary to do what this user wants to do, such as ad targeting.

This kind of thing is exactly what I have been saying would happen with GDPR. Large companies will say “take all of it or leave it” - and for the most part they’ll get away with it. They have the power to do this, and very little will change for them. The difference is that they are now able to run without fear of startup competitors ever closing in on them, because no startup can get away with this same thing.

The natural effect of GDPR will be to consolidate power and data in the hands of the few companies that can both afford to comply and wield enough power in users’ lives to strong-arm them into giving consent to anything the company wants to do.

Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#22

Post by taurath »

downandout wrote: post #21
dragonwriter wrote: post #12

Since everything Facebook does requires consent under Article 6 (or, in some cases, Article 9) of the GDPR, what, exactly, should they do otherwise that would not violate clear proscriptions in the GDPR? This isn't a case where there is non-GDPR functionality that can be severed and provided in the absence of GDPR consent.

GDPR is quite unclear about..well...almost everything. But, for example, this guy wants to read his own messages, which is a rather popular use of Facebook. If they wanted to comply with GDPR, they could easily present him a dialog asking solely for permission to process the data necessary to show him his messages. Instead, they are asking for his consent to their entire new privacy policy. That policy includes permi…

As if that isn’t the effect in an unregulated system already.

Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#25

Post by dmacedo »

LeoNatan25 wrote: post #17
mtgx wrote: post #10

They're doing this with WhatsApp, too. WhatsApp is a dead-end at this point anyway, as they plan on removing end-to-end encryption. That's why both of WhatsApp's founders and many other employees have started leaving the company.

Any source on that “they plan on removing end-to-end encryption” other than uneducated speculation?

It is speculation, but only to some extent; upon the acquisition they've pledged to preserve the privacy and security of WhatsApp users.

To some extent the announcement of him leaving, following changes to terms of service last year, make if for a very good canary in the coal mine kind of warning, that even if bound by confidentiality or other agreements preventing disclosure, he's leaving $4B behind for "some reason". I'm sure if it was to launch a new venture that'd be fine to disclose...

Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#26

Post by templar_muse »

downandout wrote: post #21
dragonwriter wrote: post #12

Since everything Facebook does requires consent under Article 6 (or, in some cases, Article 9) of the GDPR, what, exactly, should they do otherwise that would not violate clear proscriptions in the GDPR? This isn't a case where there is non-GDPR functionality that can be severed and provided in the absence of GDPR consent.

GDPR is quite unclear about..well...almost everything. But, for example, this guy wants to read his own messages, which is a rather popular use of Facebook. If they wanted to comply with GDPR, they could easily present him a dialog asking solely for permission to process the data necessary to show him his messages. Instead, they are asking for his consent to their entire new privacy policy. That policy includes permi…

> wield enough power in users’ lives to strong-arm them into giving consent to anything the company wants to do.

No one is forcing them to use Facebook, if a user feels they have too much invested in Facebook, that's no one else's fault. You're not the customer, you're the product.

Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#28

Post by krageon »

downandout wrote: post #21
dragonwriter wrote: post #12

Since everything Facebook does requires consent under Article 6 (or, in some cases, Article 9) of the GDPR, what, exactly, should they do otherwise that would not violate clear proscriptions in the GDPR? This isn't a case where there is non-GDPR functionality that can be severed and provided in the absence of GDPR consent.

GDPR is quite unclear about..well...almost everything. But, for example, this guy wants to read his own messages, which is a rather popular use of Facebook. If they wanted to comply with GDPR, they could easily present him a dialog asking solely for permission to process the data necessary to show him his messages. Instead, they are asking for his consent to their entire new privacy policy. That policy includes permi…

No, it won't be - because that sort of strong arming is precisely not compliance. You may argue that they won't be punished for it (I don't think that is likely, but you are right to think it's an option), but you are wrong to say it is a natural consequence of compliance.

Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#29

Post by nitram1 »

mtgx wrote: post #10

They're doing this with WhatsApp, too. WhatsApp is a dead-end at this point anyway, as they plan on removing end-to-end encryption. That's why both of WhatsApp's founders and many other employees have started leaving the company.

They're not planning on removing encryption. It was under facebook's ownership that encryption was added to the platform

Re: Facebook Locking Out GDPR Users Until They Consent

#30

Post by [deleted] »

salawat wrote: post #9
obelix_ wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No balls involved here. They know the number of users that will blindly click accept to whatever policy change popup appears. So it's standard mo to show users shit, get the clicks, then use the numbers to justify how much people love the platform. The rest of the herd then stands back and says hmmm maybe this is what people "really" want.

Yeah... No. There may not be 'balls' here, but this is definitely the most hilariously bad way for Facebook to handle this. What this is REALLY saying is this: A) We here at Facebook aren't really about connecting people. We are about marketing, and ad delivery in order to generate revenue. B) The goal of keeping you connected and communicating with your social graph is so unimportant to us, that we are either techni…

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