Reason to stay away from Facebook #4093 - Youropenbook.org

[w@rew0lf]

I was flipping between random radio stations this morning when I randomly came across a talk-show discussing a site called Youropenbook.org. This is a summary of what they had to say.

Due to the many rule changes and Facebook not clearly telling their users just how public the information they're are posting is, I bet what most of you Facebook users out there don't know was that each and every thing you post on Facebook is completely open to the public. Sites like Youropenbook.org can legally search Facebooks API's and take anything you've put on Facebook and make them public.

So when I got home and settled down for a bit I decided to try it out and see if it was for real.

Spoiler: Screenshots of my findings:

Link:
http://youropenbook.org/?q=escapist&x=0&y=0&gender=any

Thoughts, concerns, angst monologues for the ages?

 

[BonsaiK]

Privacy is a fairly recent phenomenon. The age of privacy started with the Industrial revolution, it has now ended with the onset of the Information age. There's no bringing it back. Facebook's policies don't really bug me, it's just demonstrating what I already knew, that privacy hasn't existed for a while now.

 

[soilent]

anyone who gets fucked over by this deserves it.

kthxbai.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

HA HA HA HA! Uproarious laughter aside HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

 

[Marter]

This is why I don't put any personal information on FaceBook, and why I only really use it to see when someone's birthday is.

 

[Makon]

You can also legally take pictures of people in a public place, find phone numbers in phone books, and Google addresses.

Don't. Put. Shit. Online. You. Don't. Want. Others. To. See.

This. If you're so damn worried someone you don't want to see something might see something, DON'T POST IT.

 

[Sleekgiant]

Well whatever you put online should only be info you want others to see *deletes a number of things*

 

[OpiateChicken]

Yeah, I deleted facebook a few months ago for this reason and because it just seems very retarding in terms of growing up to be clinging onto all your childhood friends, in a rather pathetic way, when maybe they never really were your friends in the first place. Facebook is a curse (to me) because it does two things spontaneously: makes human contact obsolete, pointless, or awkward because you already know everything about the person's life; or, makes others feel they've lost a connection with you because all THEIR friends have facebook, except for you, so then you feel somehow left out.

I will be so happy if and when they ever stop making facebook free. I cannot wait for the day that social networking comes to an end and the future looks more like Blade Runner or Star Wars or Mass Effect than Gamer (I know that 2 of the former three are retro-futuristic, but still, anything is better than another generation of people bred to be in constant contact with people they never see).

 

[Generator]

Thanks for giving me another good argument for not getting a Facebook when all of my friends want me to! Currently, my go-to argument is: "If someone's actually my friend, I'll keep in touch with them." In my opinion, it's a pretty good one, but it doesn't seem to sway them. This, on the other hand, is infallible!

 

[Darth_Dude]

Yes, nothing is safe on the internet. NOTHING. And besides I don't have anything private on my facebook. so no worries.

 

[Juven Ignus]

Bookmarked.

This site will do wonders with my blackmailing.

 

[Twilight_guy]

If its on facebook then it was wide up for public view already. Heck, anything on the internet is basically totally public or can be found if someone really wants it. Remember, kids, don't put important information on the internetz!

Really, a basic rule of putting anything online is to ask yourself if you want everyone to know about it and if not, then don't put it where everyone can see it... use use the power of anonymity.

 

[LongAndShort]

I feel sorry about the bloke caught by his grandparents, but he was stupid enough to do so while they were around. Fucking hilarious though.

There's a reason I don't have a Facebook.

 

[Bek359]

Well whatever you put online should only be info you want others to see *deletes a number of things*

Too late, dude. Even if you delete it, that just means you and regular users can't see it. The Facebook servers still have it on record or some shit like that.

 

[Sleekgiant]

Well whatever you put online should only be info you want others to see *deletes a number of things*

Too late, dude. Even if you delete it, that just means you and regular users can't see it. The Facebook servers still have it on record or some shit like that.

Thats why I'm nuking it

Honestly I don't keep anything on Facebook that I don't care others to see, this site however is a different story

 

[Bek359]

Well whatever you put online should only be info you want others to see *deletes a number of things*

Too late, dude. Even if you delete it, that just means you and regular users can't see it. The Facebook servers still have it on record or some shit like that.

Thats why I'm nuking it

(image removed for brevity purposes)

Honestly I don't keep anything on Facebook that I don't care others to see, this site however is a different story

Make sure you actually DELETE your account (if that's what you're trying to do), not just deactivate it.

OT: I still have Facebook because it's the only way I am able to keep in touch with many of my good friends. If not for that, I wouldn't bother with it at all.

Also, it gives me opportunities to post rants about whatever the hell I want.

 

[sheogoraththemad]

*facepalm* for how long will people put private shit on their sites,