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Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

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Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#82
post #78
post #6

This is probably the third investigation against FB this week. How do we still continue trusting it with our personal data? I have been equally stupid in sharing freely on FB/Instagram, not anymore.

What about WhatsApp? Virtually no one in my country--not even the elderly, who now broadly use the app as well--is willing to abandon it, no matter how its parent company is depicted. In fact, last time I checked, around 75% of all population use the app. I don't, and thus I'm paying the price socially--mentally, I'm better off; it comes without saying.

Same - I don't really speak to some people anymore because I moved away from WhatsApp. The one's I do really want to speak to (family) have installed both apps now, simply because I messaged the group saying "I'll be moving away from WhatsApp - you can reach me through text, calling, and telegram" and just left/uninstalled WhatsApp. It can be that simple.

Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#83
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's no way the government has the same resources as Facebook to make that case. The FTC loses when it goes to Court. Facebook would have more lawyers on the case than the FTC has paralegals total.

And that guarantees victory? Interesting judicial system you have, over there.

Where is that fundamentally different in other countries for very large (especially domestic) players?

Will Germany actually take a swing at Volkswagen? Will Germany try to go after those that defrauded the government with cum-ex-trades?

Everybody vs banks regarding the Libor scandal? Sure, they paid some fines, but the fines were far below the damage done, and it appears to still have been a good investment for the banks, that is: all in all they made money, fines included.

Crime does pay at that level.

That's not something US specific, I believe.

Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#84
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And that guarantees victory? Interesting judicial system you have, over there.

Where is that fundamentally different in other countries for very large (especially domestic) players? Will Germany actually take a swing at Volkswagen? Will Germany try to go after those that defrauded the government with cum-ex-trades? Everybody vs banks regarding the Libor scandal? Sure, they paid some fines, but the fines were far below the damage done, and it appears to still have been a good investment for the…

I was referring to the fact that you can outpay your opponent.

Yes, large corporations can get away with much more in other countries as well, but rarely by outpaying their opponents.

Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#86
uh oh an investigation! as meaningful as the Charter Spectrum one I imagine.

https://eu.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/alba...

TLDR Scammed consumers twice, gets to keep doing what it was doing.

"Charter and the Department believe that this action is an important step forward" indeed

Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#87

I'm glad the attorney general is getting involved. We need to start charging Facebook execs for these flagrant privacy violations. They're being fined 3 billion dollars for legal expenses relating to an FTC inquiry… and their stock price went up by 8% [1]. The market just does not care; it's time regulators and law enforcement started to. [1] https://www.barrons.com/articles/facebook-stock-is-up-becaus...

Personally I think monetary fines are a fundamentally flawed form of punishment. Send. Decisionmakers. To. Prison. I don't care if it's for just a single day but march them into a courthouse in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.

This. Whether jail or some other sanction, hold decision makers personally accountable. Fines have their place, but - at least for a firm of FB's size - they just get priced into accounts.

The FB/Zuckerberg combination is almost unique in terms of (1) market cap, (2) the controlling ownership he holds, and (3) behaviour of the firm.

Facebook is reputedly pedalling furiously behind the scenes to prevent Zuckerberg himself being charged. Whilst saying almost nothing about the fines. That says everything about where they see the real danger.

Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#89

I'm glad the attorney general is getting involved. We need to start charging Facebook execs for these flagrant privacy violations. They're being fined 3 billion dollars for legal expenses relating to an FTC inquiry… and their stock price went up by 8% [1]. The market just does not care; it's time regulators and law enforcement started to. [1] https://www.barrons.com/articles/facebook-stock-is-up-becaus...

Personally I think monetary fines are a fundamentally flawed form of punishment. Send. Decisionmakers. To. Prison. I don't care if it's for just a single day but march them into a courthouse in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Did they commit any crime?

I do agree that fines are overused, but I don't think there's reason for sending anybody to prison on this case.

Re: Facebook's Email-Harvesting Practice Is Under Investigation in N.Y.

#90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Personally I think monetary fines are a fundamentally flawed form of punishment. Send. Decisionmakers. To. Prison. I don't care if it's for just a single day but march them into a courthouse in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Did they commit any crime? I do agree that fines are overused, but I don't think there's reason for sending anybody to prison on this case.

Why is Facebook anticipating a five billion dollar fine if they didn't break any laws?
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