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Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

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Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#31

Post by moolcool »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #8

I feel like we need to start differentiating between "public" personal information and more sensitive personal information (like social security numbers or other government ID numbers). The breach lists this info: Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because i…

I think that information increased in sensitivity because technology that gives us instant access to it also allows it to be exploited in different new ways. Like there's no machine that can take a paper phonebook and call everyone in it with customized spam messages, but you can trivially do that with a CSV file and 20 lines of python.

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#32

Post by lmilcin »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #8

I feel like we need to start differentiating between "public" personal information and more sensitive personal information (like social security numbers or other government ID numbers). The breach lists this info: Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because i…

> So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because it obviously is.

I am honestly shocked at your proposal.

In a real paper book you had a choice not to get your number published.

Have you put any thought about people who are maybe running from abusive spouse or any other people who have reason not to have their location data to be broadcasted to entire world?

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#33

Post by jaywalk »

Alex3917 wrote: post #2

I know everyone on HN loves to hate on Facebook, but the fact that HN's servers are getting crushed when FB is down perhaps shows a revealed preference.

I don't use Facebook, but I'm very curious about why it's down. I'm sure I'm not alone in my curiosity about one of the biggest tech companies in the world.

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#34

Post by imglorp »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #8

I feel like we need to start differentiating between "public" personal information and more sensitive personal information (like social security numbers or other government ID numbers). The breach lists this info: Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because i…

Strong disagree.

> Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID

It's never about one item of information released: it's about the aggregation and linking potential. Name/location/phone together form a pretty decent unique identifier. FB obviously gives you friends, interests, hangouts, and most importantly, photographs; none of which you had before.

Ater aggregating with other databases is when the harm comes.

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#35

Post by dataflow »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #8

I feel like we need to start differentiating between "public" personal information and more sensitive personal information (like social security numbers or other government ID numbers). The breach lists this info: Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because i…

> So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book.

Your phone books had your login usernames and emails?

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#36

Post by tiernano »

_moof wrote: post #26
hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #8

I feel like we need to start differentiating between "public" personal information and more sensitive personal information (like social security numbers or other government ID numbers). The breach lists this info: Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because i…

> everything I used to be able to get in a phone book Fair, although you could opt out of the phone book. (And I don't think they had location/address, though it's been so long now that I can't remember for sure.) > I think people are grappling with the fact that the Internet just makes data scraping and processing possible on a scale previously unimaginable This is it right here. The scale and ease of access are ter…

> Fair, although you could opt out of the phone book. (And I don't think they had location/address, though it's been so long now that I can't remember for sure.)

you can opt out of Facebook too... and Irish phone books had addresses...

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#37

Post by Loughla »

slig wrote: post #16
dheera wrote: post #4

I'm glad I never gave FB my real phone number or birthday. Nobody should. I predicted this would happen some day. It's always just a matter of probability and time.

Do you have any friends that might have used any FB app? If so, chances are high they uploaded their contact list and FB has your name and phone number.

And this is exactly why this is a problem. I have never consented to facebook having my information. I have never had an account linked to anything real about me. I had one in 2004 or so to learn about college parties. I used a pseudonym and deleted in once I graduated.

But I guarantee they still have my information because people I know use their app.

This is not okay.

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#38

Post by jaywalk »

dheera wrote: post #4

I'm glad I never gave FB my real phone number or birthday. Nobody should. I predicted this would happen some day. It's always just a matter of probability and time.

If you want to talk about a matter of probability, your real phone number and birthday are almost certainly already out there.

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#39

Post by twobitshifter »

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #8

I feel like we need to start differentiating between "public" personal information and more sensitive personal information (like social security numbers or other government ID numbers). The breach lists this info: Name Email Location Gender Phone number User ID So basically, everything I used to be able to get in a phone book. Honestly, at this point all of that information should just be considered public, because i…

With a land line phone number from a phonebook, criminals can’t do much. With a smartphone number they can hack phones, potentially steal bank accounts, track their location and on and on.

Re: Web Scrapers Claim to Sell Personal Data on Facebook Users on a Hacker Forum

#40

Post by drclau »

(just a wild theory)

Is the downtime (at the time of writing) their way of blocking a known ongoing attack that can't be stopped fast and safely enough by other means?

Something like: 1) take everything down, 2) fix the bug, 3) deploy everywhere, 4) start everything up.

And, to stop clients from connecting, take down the DNS too. DNS is also a great scapegoat.

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