‘People You May Know’ helped Facebook grow exponentially

Post by cameronbrown » Thu, Feb 27, 2020, 1:46 AM UTC

not2b wrote: post #88

presumably wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "unintentional" is a straight up lie based on how software works This is a very dangerous statement to make. Large systems are not like hackathon projects where you might understand and hold the entire scope and flow in your mind. Software absolutely can and does lead to unintended outcomes, else there would be no bugs.

Yes, but in this case it is a highly desirable outcome for Facebook. They didn't just get lucky.

Post by ikeboy » Thu, Feb 27, 2020, 1:53 AM UTC

uoaei wrote: post #62

interlocutor wrote: post #60

In the early days, Facebook logged into user's email accounts and stole contact information without users' knowledge or authorization. This was possible because people used the same password for their email and Facebook, a practice common especially back in those days. This is one of their sources for PYMK. In fact Facebook has used this technique very recently too: A security researcher noticed the tech giant was pr…

"Unintentionally uploaded" Because you just happened to accidentally interact with the API in just the right way and downloaded the information to just the right database and deployed a service to production which just happens to access that data... I don't understand how that statement right there isn't literally incriminating evidence. They admitted to uploading the data explicitly, and "unintentional" is a straigh…

Post by wolfoftheweb » Thu, Feb 27, 2020, 2:07 AM UTC

titzer wrote: post #67

paxys wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As one of the factors probably, but they don't recommend random people who are nearby. There has to be some actual connection (friend-of-friend, address book, in the same group etc.)

> but they don't recommend random people who are nearby I think that's probably true. You need to spend sufficient time near someone--like within a few feet or so. I had an interesting experience where Facebook recommended me as a friend to someone I sat next to on an airplane, with whom I had a conversation with. My phone was in airplane mode. Not sure how that happened, TBH!

Post by samplatt » Thu, Feb 27, 2020, 2:15 AM UTC

ignoramous wrote: post #70

interlocutor wrote: post #60

In the early days, Facebook logged into user's email accounts and stole contact information without users' knowledge or authorization. This was possible because people used the same password for their email and Facebook, a practice common especially back in those days. This is one of their sources for PYMK. In fact Facebook has used this technique very recently too: A security researcher noticed the tech giant was pr…

We desperately need a Edward Snowden of Facebook to show up with treasure trove of docs at the steps of The Guardian. Surely, it is relatively safer than going up against the NSA? A $500B enterprise that's toying with the very social fabric that they claim to help build is beyond hypocritical and borderline cancerous.

Post by bathtub365 » Thu, Feb 27, 2020, 2:40 AM UTC

presumably wrote: post #94

bathtub365 wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’re saying an entire system was added to integrate with user email accounts, download all their contacts, and upload them to a database at Facebook, accidentally?

Please respond to the actual contents of my post, and not a strawman version of it. I’m saying what I said, nothing more. > Software absolutely can and does lead to unintended outcomes, else there would be no bugs. Edit: also see this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22429620 TFA explains how the system was added, it’s absurd and intellectually dishonest to interpret my post as saying what you wrote.