Live data from Hacker News

A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking

facebook.com

71–76 of 76 posts

Re: A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking

#71
If facebook wants us to believe that it is committed to privacy in the ways that it is suggesting here, than the solutions being proposed here (basically another E2EE messenger) are not sufficient.

Facebook can promise to put itself out of business, spending its cash reserves on development of an ecosystem of interoperable, open source, fully decentralized solutions to replace all of what it does with no central authority and no possibility of censorship or surveillance.

It can find ways for this new decentralized network to be accessible in China, unlike its current platform.

Instead of saying "we'll consult with safety experts, law enforcement and governments on the best ways to implement safety measures," it can expressly refrain from working in any capacity with governments who seek to inhibit speech or expression on the internet.

It can disclose all of the algorithms and decisions that produce the news feed and allow people to opt in or out of them, ensuring that their news feed is not a means of manipulation.

I mean, I can go on and on course. None of this takes any serious genius, just a decision to prioritize freedom and justice in society over money.

Re: A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking

#73

Let's say Facebook actually pulls this off. They deliver a privacy-focused social media platform. It's used by billions of people, daily. How do they make money off it? If everything is encrypted, they cannot have targeted ads. They can't read the data to push ads for different demographics. Personally, I think a (more) private social network is a great idea. But I don't see how Facebook's financial incentives align…

That is a really good question - whats more likely, they fully pivot and really don't gobble up all this user data and keep conversations private and take a hit on mainline revenue, or they SAY they're going to do this stuff, release something that looks slightly more private but don't do any of it?

The market right now isn't shook at all, no change after hours. If it had anything remotely to do with the magnitude of what they're suggesting the stock would be down quite a lot.

Re: A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking

#74

Let's say Facebook actually pulls this off. They deliver a privacy-focused social media platform. It's used by billions of people, daily. How do they make money off it? If everything is encrypted, they cannot have targeted ads. They can't read the data to push ads for different demographics. Personally, I think a (more) private social network is a great idea. But I don't see how Facebook's financial incentives align…

The obvious way is financial services.

Re: A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking

#75
Sounds great; setting a reminder to check in on Facebook in a few years.

Not too happy that my data from my deleted account might actually be gone by the time Facebook becomes privacy aware.

Seriously, I saw the movie, it took a few college kids a few months; now a rewrite for privacy will take years?

They’re buying time, and I am pretty sure people are already willing to buy privacy. Why can’t they sell that?willing

Re: A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking

#76
post #68

The word "encrypt" appears 24 times. But the following weasel words let Facebook shout "end-to-end encryption" from the rooftops while quietly undermining it with back doors. > There are still many open questions here and we'll consult with safety experts, law enforcement and governments on the best ways to implement safety measures [in end-to-end encryption]. There is no way Facebook will make their services truly s…

They are notably trying to redefine the term "end-to-end" which was meant to say contents are not possible to see for anyone but the parties communicating. Law enforcements suggestion to fix end-to-end encryption for their purposes is to break/remove/circumvent the encryption, do key escrow, etc, at which point it is NOT end-to-end.
Post reply on HN