Technology

Are Facebook’s Design Improvements Tricking You Into Giving Up Privacy?

Some would consider privacy on Facebook an oxymoron at this point. It is an issue the site has tried to remedy, especially after the Federal Trade Commission has required them to allow users to “opt in” to many features as opposed to “opt out.”

But is the sheer design of some of its pages confusing users into inadvertently giving up some of their privacy protections?

Avi Charkham with lool ventures, a venture capital firm based in Israel, writes on Tech Crunch that with each design “improvement” Facebook makes to accommodate third-party apps, the more one could be giving up personal information without his or her knowledge.

“After all, this access to our information and identity is the currency Facebook is trading in and what is driving its stock up or down,” Charkham writes.

It is to these apps on the website — everything from the music you listen to, the games you play, the things you “pin”, the quizzes you answer — that Charkham says users are releasing private info. Don‘t think you’ve allowed that many apps? Charkham suggests you take a look at your app settings to see the ones you’ve granted permission to. Check it out here. Are you surprised?

Then, Charkham goes on to say that Facebook‘s very design is configured in a way to get users to grant apps permission without even really knowing they’re doing so. Here’s the first trick she points out:

In the old design Facebook used two buttons – “Allow” and “Don’t Allow” – which automatically led you to make a decision. In the new App Center Facebook chose to use a single button. No confirmation, no decisions to make. One click and, boom, your done! Your information was passed on to the app developers and you never even notice it.

Avi Charkham Details Design Elements on Facebook App Permission Pages That Trick Users Into Releasing Information

(Image via Tech Crunch)

She states that text regarding permission of what the app would do in the new design has moved to a less prominent location and is in a smaller, less noticeable font and color. The old design on Facebook before accessing an app also spelled out what basic information of yours the app would be able to see. Can you find where in the new design that information is available? Charkham points to the bottom right where there is a tiny question mark one can click to find this out.

Avi Charkham Details Design Elements on Facebook App Permission Pages That Trick Users Into Releasing Information

(Image via Tech Crunch)

Charkham goes on to note importance of the location of the “allow” vs. “play” button on the page and other potentially purposeful design elements that “trick” users into giving third-party apps access to their information. Check out Charkham’s full post on Tech Crunch for more details on this here.

Related:

(H/T: Gizmodo)

Comments (32)

  • rickroland
    Posted on August 28, 2012 at 7:18am

    That’s why I never use any apps on Facebook, not a single one.

    Report Post »  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:18pm

      If you use ANY social app online, YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:27pm

      I get emails all the time from SUPPOSEDLY friends on Facebook and when I contact them to tell them that I don’t want to be their friend on Facebook, they tell me THEY DID NOT SEND THE REQUEST. The only thing I can think of is some Facebook member had my name somewhere on their page or in their address book. Facebook data-mined it and sent me an email, HOPING I WOULD SAY YES and then if I entered any info about myself, THEY COULD PROFILE ME.

      Those of you who have Facebook accounts – YOU ARE BEING PROFILED AND THEN THAT INFO IS GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT.

      So, there you have it. FACEBOOK IS an EVIL ENTERPRISE OF SPIES THAT WILL SELL YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR THEIR PROFIT.

      If you are on Facebook, GET OFF NOW! Delete your account while you can because SOON, you will not be able to delete it and it will be there FOREVER.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • ChildOfTheKing
      Posted on August 29, 2012 at 12:03pm

      In order to defend the Constitution you must understand it and those who oppose it. And no group has been more hostile to the Constitution and America’s founding principles than the Progressives.

      The choice we face is simple: between those who wish to preserve and uphold the U.S. Constitution (those who believe in the principles of liberty and limited government as laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution) on one hand, and Progressives (those who believe government to be the solution to any possible problem) on the other.

      Starting on September 4, 2012, distinguished members of the Hillsdale faculty will teach ten classes on how America, over time, went from its founding as a constitutional republic to the doorstep of a bureaucratic despotism, under arbitrary rule of the administrative state and the Progressive political agenda.

      In order to understand the Progressive challenge to the Constitution and America’s founding principles, you must understand how, over time — from early Progressives like Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, to FDR’s “New Deal” and Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society,” and right up to 2012 with those in Congress and in the White House — Progressives have openly rejected America’s founding principles. This has given rise to the ever-growing “4th branch of government,” the massive administrative bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.

      https://constitution.hillsdale.edu/201/Constitution-ENH002-101

      Report Post » ChildOfTheKing  
  • JerryNic
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 10:28pm

    I clicked on the Facebook link and was able to eliminate about 50 privacy invading apps. Thanks.

    Report Post » JerryNic  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:07am

      Someday soon ALL internet traffic will be required to go through a Facebook server (to help aid in government spying). What’s ironic is everybody will be fine with it. The government couldn’t have ever imagined a better spying agent than Facebook. Who would have thought that everyone would gladly divulge intimate details of their everyday life through pics and posts. It’s a spying dream for our government. Facial recognition to help gov’t spying is a new feature and everybody loves it. Next they will tie in a feature “where they at” based on street cameras spying on the public. You can type “where is Joe Smith” and his location will pop up due to facial recognition and police street cameras. And everybody will love the new spying feature.

      Another concern I have that makes me think all internet traffic will go through a Facebook server is because most major companies don’t even rely on their own websites anymore. They just say “go to our Facebook page.” I’ve never seen before so many private companies relying on another private company as I have with Facebook. It’s a real concern to have.

      I imagine 20 years from now just like the Terminator movie where they go back in time to stop a self aware computer system (Skynet I think it was). We will want to go back in time to 2009 when Facebook really came on line and ruined the world with spying. Someday we will realize just how evil Facebook turned out to be.

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:31pm

      @sillyfreshness:
      There ARE ways to HIDE YOUR IDENTITY:
      TOR (free)
      Advanced Onion Router 0.3.0.8a (free)
      AdvOR (free)

      Others that are paid HIDE YOUR IP ADDRESS apps.

      I have had quite a few of them, but TOR seems to be the very best freebie.
      I also use AdvOR quite a lot too.

      So, UNLESS the govt outlaws HIDDEN IP apps, use them at your discretion.
      Also, I have my own server that bounces all over the place, so sometimes I am in Texas,
      sometimes in Switzerland, and sometimes in Minnesota.

      CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
      I am one of those GOOD HACKERS.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 3:59pm

      Thanks for the advice! Good stuff!

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • infidelsaplenty
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:13pm

    ‘Used it for a while to upset a bunch of liberal “friends”. ‘Found it a bit creepy. Zeroed out the friends list and shut my account two years ago. I don’t miss it at all!

    Report Post »  
  • preoccupied
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 6:17pm

    Recently I received an ecard wishing me a happy b’day from my most recent FB friend. I emailed her asking how did she know, she being just a casual acquaintence. My personal info, including my b’date, has always been hidden. She said it was on FB. When we went back to verify, it was gone. She then expressed concern because she had recently sent me a get well card from jackielawson and verfied she had sent no other. This woman has absolutely no reason to lie. FACEBOOK SHARES INFORMATION without your authorization. That is a fact.

    Report Post »  
  • anothercomment
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 4:41pm

    It’s amazing how many people want to know if you have a facebook or any other social medias. And now they are telling us that if we don’t, we are less employable. All I got from facebook was creepy stalkers (really) and I had only put in the very minimum of info (that was absolutely required). Needless to say, I have gone back to the “old fashioned” sources of communications: email and cell. Ah, the good ol’ days…

    Report Post » anothercomment  
  • Eblaze44
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:56pm

    Nope – cause i’m not on facebook.

    Report Post » Eblaze44  
    • PorkPIG
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 5:54pm

      I deactivated and requested my account be deleted 2 weeks ago .

      Report Post » PorkPIG  
  • Wurlitzer28
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:26pm

    Facebook is nothing but a virus.

    I am experiencing the same problem with YouTube for the last few months to the point I have given up making comments on the various videos as my mail box will be filled with hate filled e-mails from liberals all over the country.

    Report Post »  
  • Sharon Rose
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:15pm

    I cancelled my “face(less)book account. Tired of the bs that they spew.

    Report Post »  
  • Mr. H.
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:52pm

    I suspended my Facebook account for security reasons. Facebook has settings that get reset without notification. Facebook draws in your web activity, which is very telling. It’s not just social anymore, it’s complete disclosure. Facebook is also susceptible to simple hacks, so you never know who is looking in. Facebook is more like a “Hey Everybody Look At Me” book. You put too much out there and your identity is stolen and then you are sunk, deep.

    Report Post »  
  • Time2fixthismess
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:40pm

    Thank you Blaze…I just checked, and you were spot on. Permissions that were never given were automatically allowed in the new apps I had never approved.

    Report Post »  
  • jackact
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 12:16pm

    No Facebook is just making its users anti-social and mentally retarded.
    How sad.

    Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:15pm

      Facebook is a govt run data mining operation. DARPA came up with it. Brilliant actually. Flat out spying on the American people. And the people are so fricking stupid they don’t even realize it. Amazing.

      Report Post »  
  • Chromo200
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 12:09pm

    Never click on a “like” button of an ad.. You’ll never ever get off their list.

    Report Post »  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 12:00pm

    Keep settings at friends only.. give only exact information that is needed to open account.. and DON’T use facebook on ANY comment boards to SHARE or LIKE or post comments.. there are many places where I don‘t leave a comment cause the board is to cheap to run their own sign in’s and want you to use FACEBOOK.. THEY lose.. since they make their money by comments..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
  • DoctorRon
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:34am

    Who says these changes are “improvments”?

    Report Post » DoctorRon  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:26am

    Here’s a radical idea: opt out of Facebook.

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:24am

    Count on it. buttbook is no friend of ours~

    Report Post »  
  • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:21am

    Ah yes, Facebook. Never mind the extrajudicial killing of Americans, VIPR, palm prints, thumb prints, retinal scans, porno scanners, tsa gropings, NSA server farms and data collection on Americans, NDAA and indefinite detainment, transaction history cataloging, RFID chips everywhere, domestic drones, etc. Wake up sheep.

    Report Post » Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • DamocleAurelius
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:19pm

      If you’re so concerned/convinced these things are happening, why not put up links to them…

      or better yet, start your OWN news site that covers these “important” issues.

      Rothbardian Robot.

      Report Post »  
  • objectivetruth
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:21am

    Don’t use any social media of that sort.One of the biggest tricks I’ve seen is that many will convince you to use something like this for work[networking profiles].I see a future not far away that it won’t be a work help but a work hinderence.Many major employers don’t put stock and faith in facebook or others like it.

    Report Post »  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 12:37pm

      That is not true. Many employment agencies ask for your Facebook link or account ID (name) so they can find out more about you.

      I was interviewed once and told I would have the job if I had a Facebook account.
      When I asked them if it was required, they said yes because it would confirm who I was and what I was like because if you were on Facebook, chances are you would have links and likes on there that would show what you believe and what you sanction. Geez.

      I told them THAT I DIDN’T WANT TO WORK FOR ANYONE WHO REQUIRED ME TO JOIN A CLUB. I threatened to sue them for this. THEY BACKED DOWN REALLY QUICK.

      No, I did not take that job.
      Yes, I dropped that employment agency and told them why and told them I would tell others about it.
      Yes, I found a job that did not require such trivial drivel.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
  • IrishCracker72
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:13am

    Don’t trust facebook.

    Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:13am

    Just stay away from FaceBook. Every two or three weeks, there’s a story about either Google or FaceBook not keeping their word about protecting your privacy. Last I heard, the greedy bastich es at FaceBook were using fake accounts to sell advertising, thus SWINDLING money from advertisers.
    If I were a company, I would no longer do business with either website.
    They can’t be trusted.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:21am

      I could see Obama doing business on facebook:

      “Okay there we go, all privacy settings secured…and one more click…uh, wait, why is it saying all of my incriminating files and information, swiss bank accounts, embezzled funds and the missing tax forms for the last 20 years are now public and sent to all the worlds press?”

      Obama looks over at Holder, eyes alight with molten fury, “Did you let Biden play with the computer again?”

      Holder: “Uh boss you see…oh heck, I guess a predator is on the way in?”

      Obama: “Yup.”

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:12am

    This is one of the reasons I will not use facebook.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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