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Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

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Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#31

Post by PragmaticPulp »

lelandfe wrote: post #5
testdrive5 wrote: post #2

Quoting a fellow HNer: I recommend avoiding all browser extensions unless they come from well-known developers (eg 1Password) and they’re downloaded and installed through official channels. Browser extensions have a lot of access to your browsing activity and can phone home as well. One of the reasons this extension was sent a C&D was that it was sending some data home to the author’s server. That might be what the i…

> One of the reasons this extension was sent a C&D was that it was sending some data home to the author’s server I think that this is incorrect. The C&D included that as an example of banned things - beneath the actual list of what the extension had done wrong. Per the wording, what they had done wrong was automation of actions, and unlicensed use of trademarks. The letter: https://louisbarclay.notion.site/Unfollow-E…

“Accessing and/or collecting users content or information” is the first bullet point in the C&D. The Reddit install instructions even include a note to remove the phone-home code before running the plug-in.

The plug-in author also explained his data collection in his interviews. He said they collected a lot of data for study participants and less data for normal users to confirm the plug-in was “working”.

Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#33

Post by teddyh »

robbedpeter wrote: post #16
ugjka wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shared machines, trolling, tricking someone to install this. At least ask on the first run what is going to happen

Hold stick near centre of its length. Moisten pointed end in mouth. Insert in tooth space, blunt end next to gum. Use gentle in-out motion.

Thank you, Wonko the Sane.

Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#34

Post by lelandfe »

PragmaticPulp wrote: post #31
lelandfe wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> One of the reasons this extension was sent a C&D was that it was sending some data home to the author’s server I think that this is incorrect. The C&D included that as an example of banned things - beneath the actual list of what the extension had done wrong. Per the wording, what they had done wrong was automation of actions, and unlicensed use of trademarks. The letter: https://louisbarclay.notion.site/Unfollow-E…

“Accessing and/or collecting users content or information” is the first bullet point in the C&D. The Reddit install instructions even include a note to remove the phone-home code before running the plug-in. The plug-in author also explained his data collection in his interviews. He said they collected a lot of data for study participants and less data for normal users to confirm the plug-in was “working”.

The first paragraph is the only one that includes a list of what their extension had been doing wrong. I haven't seen it typed up anywhere else, so here are the salient bits:

> Facebook has gathered evidence that your Chrome extension “Unfollow Everything for Facebook” facilitates unauthorized functionality on Facebook. Specifically, your extension automates actions on Facebook, including mass following and unfollowing of Friends, Pages, and Groups. Your extension also impermissibly makes use of Facebook’s trademarks. These activities violate Facebook’s terms.

> Facebook demands that you stop these activities immediately.

The bullet point you've pointed out lives beneath that list of issues, under a title of, "Facebook's terms prohibit, among other things." Things that Facebook's terms prohibit ≠ stuff the extension was doing.

Otherwise it would be curious indeed that Facebook isn't demanding they cease the collection of data :)

> The plug-in author also explained his data collection in his interviews

That could well be – I'm just saying that the C&D does not include it as a basis.

Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#35

Post by andybak »

leppr wrote: post #12
testdrive5 wrote: post #2

Quoting a fellow HNer: I recommend avoiding all browser extensions unless they come from well-known developers (eg 1Password) and they’re downloaded and installed through official channels. Browser extensions have a lot of access to your browsing activity and can phone home as well. One of the reasons this extension was sent a C&D was that it was sending some data home to the author’s server. That might be what the i…

For this kind of simple use case, a userscript makes more sense than a full extension, which has the benefits of making the code easily auditable and forkable.

Harder for less technical people to use however.

Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#38

Post by klyrs »

ugjka wrote: post #27
LocalH wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The extension has one function - to unfollow everything on Facebook. You're mad that it did what it said it was going to do?

From all software development I've done I know one thing - you ask for confirmation before doing something destructive, at least once. And no, installing it doesn't mean consent...

Sounds like you need a "follow everything" extension to fix this.

Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#39

Post by jasai_oluwa »

mnd999 wrote: post #17

Honestly, just delete your Facebook. It’s a better solution and it has the benefit of being officially supported.

I’d like to understand your point of view. From the second sentence of your comment, it seems like you’re being sincere and not trying to be hyperbolic. Surely you’re intelligent enough to understand why it would be difficult for some people to _just_ delete their Facebook account and why that would be a point of contention. If you understand this, what exactly compels you to type out your comment and post it? However, if you don’t, then my apologies! And yes, I am fully aware of how this reply comes off.

Re: Mirror Links for "Unfollow Everything"

#40

Post by ziml77 »

ugjka wrote: post #14
black_puppydog wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean you installed something that advertises to unfollow everything on your behalf, you went through a whole checklist to unpack it and coax chrome into loading it from local, and then you somehow consider it to not have your consent? I mean, that's a pretty high bar to set for consent. But clearly yours wasn't quite enthusiastic enough ...

It was on a Chrome store before, it is just bad etiquette to do something without asking once

I can't understand why you're getting downvoted so hard that your first comment is dead now. I'm with you, I don't expect the act of installing an extension to perform destructive actions. At the very least I would have thought you would need to click the toolbar button.

Optimally it would display the full list of everything it's about to unfollow and have you confirm you're okay with that.

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