Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same • Hacker News Board

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#71

Post by loglog1234 » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 12:29 AM UTC

gyardley wrote: post #17

It'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.

it is like I tell my future employer in an interview, that I won't cheat or do anything misconduct. but that also reserve my right to cheat and do something misconduct, and that is expected.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#72

Post by megablast » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 12:43 AM UTC

damoncali wrote: post #7

When 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.

Why should people care about this, they don't actually care that 1000s of people a day die of starvation. But you consider this is worth caring about?

It is the way of the world, too many important things to care about.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#73

Post by earplug » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 1:17 AM UTC

jellicle wrote: post #60

earplug wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If Facebook is "lying through its teeth" it will only hurt them in the long run. What is even more realistic is that they are getting (have become) so big that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. That becomes typical in a large organization. This could also simply be a way for them to protect themselves in the future, as we've all seen just how heated the patent space is becoming for the big boys…

> If Facebook is "lying through its teeth" it will only hurt them in the long run. Because after all, we see corporations being punished every day for lying by the powerful and effective consumer protection organizations in the United States.

Hmmm... I never made any such claims about consumer protection organizations. This is something you've conjured up on your own.

The bottom line is, if this is something we (the users) do not want, we have the power to make Facebook change it. We've seen examples of this in the past with Facebook (ex: their friend recommended ad's).

I don't believe we can rely on our government run organizations to wholly protect us, nor have I made any such claim. But we sure as hell can vote what we want and don't want, from a private company, through our buying and/or usage patterns.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#74

Post by rat » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 2:52 AM UTC

napierzaza wrote: post #5

rat wrote: post #2

They are obviously asking for the patent to prevent others from using this technique.

Not sure to vote for you since I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not.

yes

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#75

Post by salemh » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 3:11 AM UTC

damoncali wrote: post #7

When 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.

Vs tech-centric folks, the "average" user seems to move ever so slowly towards the tech centric, meaning (non-data supported), average users being more aware of just how much non-privacy they have with FB, LinkedIn (their weird opt-in media campaign for using ones profile pictures).

I have more faith that more connectivity will accelerate this process.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#76

Post by salemh » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 3:12 AM UTC

Hayes wrote: post #46

We could use this thread to give some feedback back to Facebook. They'll hear it and might even listen. Because this isn't black and white. All the web developers on here "track users" on their websites, it can be as mild as logging for AB testing. Facebook is now needing to do this across domains because their application extends across domains. Where do you draw the line?

More telling how many elite programmers have gone to Facebook, and support these policies by proxy of employment and/or silence.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#77

Post by mmwako » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 3:26 AM UTC

Not necessarily contradictory. Not enough context to conclude anything.

As far as I know, if this was Google, for sure everyone would argue "they patent this tracking system just to avoid other less reliable companies to do so".

(I still think that facebook is malign, though)

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#78

Post by ericd » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 5:02 AM UTC

earplug wrote: post #73

jellicle wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If Facebook is "lying through its teeth" it will only hurt them in the long run. Because after all, we see corporations being punished every day for lying by the powerful and effective consumer protection organizations in the United States.

Hmmm... I never made any such claims about consumer protection organizations. This is something you've conjured up on your own. The bottom line is, if this is something we (the users) do not want, we have the power to make Facebook change it. We've seen examples of this in the past with Facebook (ex: their friend recommended ad's). I don't believe we can rely on our government run organizations to wholly protect us,…

See this for why your thesis that the market will naturally reject this is probably wrong, even if it's abhorrent to them now:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog

It's very easy for liberties/expectations to be eroded imperceptibly until they're gone and people think that's the norm because that's the way things are, and everyone seems to be OK with it.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#79

Post by damoncali » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 12:27 PM UTC

megablast wrote: post #72

damoncali wrote: post #7

When 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.

Why should people care about this, they don't actually care that 1000s of people a day die of starvation. But you consider this is worth caring about? It is the way of the world, too many important things to care about.

Well, if I turn of my computer, nobody gets to eat.

Re: Facebook claims it does not track users, but files patent to do same

#80

Post by chris_dcosta » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 2:20 PM UTC

I don't get the anger here. Surely all of us has written code at some point that tracks what a user is doing, even if it's just to keep state.

What's the difference between that and what Facebook might (/must) be doing? The difference as far as I can see is that Fb has a public image tarnished by privacy issues, and it makes for a good story.

Of course it's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation for Fb. It's not lying, it's just what happens when PR spin and reality get caught in the same room.