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Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

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Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#41

Post by strawberrypuree »

mobileexpert wrote: post #20

Some takes From Benedict Evans that are worth considering: https://twitter.com/benedictevans/status/1320378054150148098... “Meanwhile: the NYU app has access to friend data in your feed and friend data is also in the ads it scrapes. And it replaces an actual security model with our trust that NYU are nice people and won't abuse this access. That is exactly how Cambridge Analytica happened.”

Cambridge Analytica happened with an app hosted on Facebook. This is hosted on your browser. So it’s not exactly how Cambridge Analytica happened because the trust model is completely different.

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#42

Post by ForHackernews »

mobileexpert wrote: post #20

Some takes From Benedict Evans that are worth considering: https://twitter.com/benedictevans/status/1320378054150148098... “Meanwhile: the NYU app has access to friend data in your feed and friend data is also in the ads it scrapes. And it replaces an actual security model with our trust that NYU are nice people and won't abuse this access. That is exactly how Cambridge Analytica happened.”

I mean, I trust NYU researchers a lot more than I trust Facebook execs.

All these big data-harvesting companies (FB, Google, etc.) start with the false premise that well-informed users have affirmatively chosen to trust that company with their private data.

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#43

Post by mobileexpert »

MAGZine wrote: post #31
mobileexpert wrote: post #20

Some takes From Benedict Evans that are worth considering: https://twitter.com/benedictevans/status/1320378054150148098... “Meanwhile: the NYU app has access to friend data in your feed and friend data is also in the ads it scrapes. And it replaces an actual security model with our trust that NYU are nice people and won't abuse this access. That is exactly how Cambridge Analytica happened.”

Comparing Cambridge Analytica, who harvested data though means that were not transparent to users (and for malicious purpose), to NYU has explained what data and why, AND has the consent of its users, seems disingenuous at best.

The whole point is that a major problem with CA was the scaled friend’s data collection. The NYU app scraping modality could easily do the same thing which violates the present FB consent/sharing model of you control your data going to or not going to third party apps. FB has to fight as hard as possible against such apps. Remember Clearview AI? If we want FB to fight CA and Clearview they must fight here as well.

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#44

Post by strawberrypuree »

scbrg wrote: post #35
goodluckchuck wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How so?

I admit I use some Google services. At the same time, I have no relationship with the non G:s of FAANG, which arguably is 80% of them (though perhaps not 80% of the influence). I'm not sure how they can really be considered public utilities at that point. None of the services they provide are essential.

Much of the web is hosted on AWS. So, you have an invisible relationship with Amazon. Same with Facebook and their trackers, unless you block them.

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#45

Post by cronix »

2arrs2ells wrote: post #33

Don't miss Alex Stamos (former Facebook Chief Security Officer's reply): https://twitter.com/alexstamos/status/1320006154424967170 If I'm understanding Alex right, he's saying that Facebook's 2019 FTC consent decree requires them to limit the personal information collected by apps on the platform.

It's a browser plugin, not a facebook app. Why should facebook have a say on what plugins I have installed in my browser that did not come from facebook? Should they be able to have a say about ublock origin or other apps I have installed on my computer/browser?

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#46

Post by Permit »

Lendal wrote: post #36

Wait so Facebook can collect data about its users but Facebook users aren't allowed to collect data about Facebook?

If I’m your friend on Facebook should you be allowed to go to my page and give all the information I’ve shared with you to another 3rd party?

You trust NYU, OK fine. Can I give the same information about you to pro-Trump researchers?

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#48

Post by arbol »

Permit wrote: post #46
Lendal wrote: post #36

Wait so Facebook can collect data about its users but Facebook users aren't allowed to collect data about Facebook?

If I’m your friend on Facebook should you be allowed to go to my page and give all the information I’ve shared with you to another 3rd party? You trust NYU, OK fine. Can I give the same information about you to pro-Trump researchers?

Yes the OP is absolutely allowed to do this. Their are consequences of befriending people in real life and online. It's up to you to decide who you befriend.

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#49

Post by rolph »

cronix wrote: post #45
2arrs2ells wrote: post #33

Don't miss Alex Stamos (former Facebook Chief Security Officer's reply): https://twitter.com/alexstamos/status/1320006154424967170 If I'm understanding Alex right, he's saying that Facebook's 2019 FTC consent decree requires them to limit the personal information collected by apps on the platform.

It's a browser plugin, not a facebook app. Why should facebook have a say on what plugins I have installed in my browser that did not come from facebook? Should they be able to have a say about ublock origin or other apps I have installed on my computer/browser?

it would be a new angle to require functionality qualifications examination to weed out any compromized browsers or OS's, all in the name of security and privacy of course

Re: Facebook has sent a cease-and-desist letter to researchers

#50

Post by andybak »

mobileexpert wrote: post #43
MAGZine wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Comparing Cambridge Analytica, who harvested data though means that were not transparent to users (and for malicious purpose), to NYU has explained what data and why, AND has the consent of its users, seems disingenuous at best.

The whole point is that a major problem with CA was the scaled friend’s data collection. The NYU app scraping modality could easily do the same thing which violates the present FB consent/sharing model of you control your data going to or not going to third party apps. FB has to fight as hard as possible against such apps. Remember Clearview AI? If we want FB to fight CA and Clearview they must fight here as well.

> If we want FB to fight CA and Clearview they must fight here as well.

Or they could partner with NYU, offer technical insight to maintain integrity and privacy (me stifles laughter) and do everything to support researchers who potentially could help build trust in their platform.

Going after this group just isn't a good look if you're Facebook. If there are valid concerns then don't start with a Cease and Desist.

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