Do as I say, not as I do..
Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
11–20 of 88 posts
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#12When you have less credibility than an investment banker on a cocaine bender, you've got some trust issues. I'm still trying to figure out if anyone will care. My faith in humanity is being tested.
Prepare to be disappointed.
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#13You don't patent something because you built it. You patent something because you think someone else might build it, or because you don't want someone else to prevent you from building it.
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#14Its getting to a point where I will have a dedicated virtual machine just to check Facebook.
or, a different browser on a proxy :P
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#15You don't patent something because you built it. You patent something because you think someone else might build it, or because you don't want someone else to prevent you from building it.
And that's exactly the problem with the patent system.
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#16Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#17It's perfectly possible for Facebook to not track users at the moment and simultaneously prepare for a future where this is not only acceptable, it's expected.
Facebook has placed a long-term bet that people will willingly share pretty much everything they do. When they file patents like this, they're skating where the puck is headed, not where it is now.
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#18Link to patent application: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sec...
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#19You don't patent something because you built it. You patent something because you think someone else might build it, or because you don't want someone else to prevent you from building it.
Both reasons imply an intention to track users. But there is a third possibility. They could have patented it because they are so convinced that user tracking across websites is evil that they want to save the world from it by preventing others from ever doing it.
After all a company that has 600 million users has a responsibility to make sure all these people are not put in harm's way. Just imagine how Mark Zuckerberg's feelings could get hurt if even one of his users ("the dumb fucks") were to be taken advantage of by some evil, data greedy, ad funded search behemoth.
And isn't it completely obvious that Facebook, unlike other major Internet companies, has no interest in tracking users? What on earth could they possibly do with that tracking data? Sell targeted advertising? No no no, Facebook isn't _that_ kind of company! And doesn't their track record of honesty and openness speak for itself?
Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same
#20Its getting to a point where I will have a dedicated virtual machine just to check Facebook.
or, a different browser on a proxy :P
Like that idea. One should be able to create some "rules" for a browser, e.g. that any Facebook related url is going to be opened in a "clean" browser space. Ideally where one can attribute certain basics, such as proxies beforehand.