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As Facebook continues to expand its Internet-swallowing Open Graph network, it's only become clearer how scary an idea it was at the outset. As InfoWorld reports, the social networking site has apparently been adding apps on user profile pages, without bothering to tell anyone about it. If you've visited a given site while logged into Facebook, there's a good chance that there's now an app somewhere on your profile related to whatever blog or news site you made the mistake of opening while under Mark Zuckerberg's watchful eye. So far, the list of sites that trigger involuntary app downloads includes the Gawker blog family, The Washington Post, New York Magazine and TechCrunch, among others. Fortunately, there is a way to remove all the unwanted app clutter from your profile, although opting out of the site's Instant Personalization service won't do the trick (because that would be logical). Instead, you'll have to go through and block each app individually, by clicking on the 'Block Application' option on the left side of the application's page. Deleting an application will indeed remove the app, but it'll just pop up the next time you visit the associated page. Alternatively, if you want to take the (more) inconvenient route, you can avoid the trap altogether by simply making sure you're never logged into Facebook while visiting any third-party site. At this point, it's unclear whether this is another "glitch" in the Facebook's Open Graph framework, or if the social network really just intended on slipping this one by everyone.
Listen, Facebook. We think you're really great, and we've totally enjoyed all the countless hours we've spent together looking in on the private lives of near strangers. But lately, things have gotten a just a little weird between us. It was a sweet idea you had to single-handedly help us figure out what kinda stuff we really like. Funneling the entire Internet through a Zuckerbergian sieve? The stuff of romantic genius. But dropping off apps at our doorsteps without so much as throwing up a handy red flag notification? Without even asking us if we're cool with it? That's just not a normal relationship, Facebook. We understand how stoked you are about your new little graph, but maybe we should start taking things a little... slower. [From: InfoWorld]
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Comments
20
Subscribe to commentsmarspeed8May 6th 2010 3:52PM
Went on my profile, found two new apps that I never ok'd or was notified of.
lillygkmjMay 7th 2010 1:34PM
If facebook is adding apps to my account, please stop!
DeniseannMay 10th 2010 8:32PM
Facebook stop taking advantage of those who joined your page, you'll find many will leave you as they did MySpace, then where will you be?????????
I only want those I invite to be able to access me and the heck with the rest of the world.
farmers386May 10th 2010 8:37PM
Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is an 'app"
LitaMay 10th 2010 9:47PM
"App" is short for application--kind of mini program whose job it is to help you--the user--accomplish a particular task or tasks.
PCMay 11th 2010 11:14PM
it's short for 'application'. it's usually a game like farmville, or those little 'i sent u a heart' things that clutter inboxes
mpope9193May 10th 2010 8:49PM
I miss the old facebook. It used to be so much more fun! It seems like it gets worse and worse with every "improvement" they make!
mizzpegg60May 10th 2010 8:52PM
guess where I am going from here? Facebook and I have an app'tm't to clean huse. MAybe permanently?
AndiJun 3rd 2010 9:33PM
Y'know Facebook...I had to stop using MySpace because viruses were getting a bit to much into my space. Don't make me give you up too.
HeatherMay 10th 2010 9:47PM
I do recall Facebook mentioning it. You can become a fan of, or like, several Facebook related pages run by Facebook that let you know what's going on including possible changes to various policies and applications. I don't remember the details of it, but I know they posted something about it. The problem seems to be that most users don't care enough to keep up with proposed changes, when they can voice an opinion, until the change has already been implemented and it's too late to do anything about it.
LitaMay 10th 2010 9:50PM
People. This was no accident. And if you think that the folks at Facebook aren't somehow enriched by this so-called glitch, methinks you are a-dreaming. If this weren't the case, you would have been allowed to opt in instead of being forced to opt out in a less than straightforward manner.
scdingoMay 11th 2010 1:33AM
I am getting rid of facebook. Heck with all this.
MaxMay 11th 2010 1:41AM
I like Facebook, because it's enabled me to get in touch with some old friends.
JulioMay 11th 2010 3:16AM
Let's see...and AOL's Bebo doesn;t do that? Big deal.
KayTMay 11th 2010 3:38AM
Hey you think Facebook is invasive. Just click onto your name on this board. It's a hyperlink which will link directly back to your "profile" and which will display every letter you've ever written to any of over two dozen AOL sites.
How's that for privacy? Oh yes they tell you they won't publish your name or email address ..... but they don't tell you that a "profile" is created the first time you sign on to post a letter on ANY of these dozens of message boards. That first time, if you've mistakenly filled in your real name, which many people do .... will link everything in the future to that "profile". Which will be in your name.
That profile is searchable and readily picked up by Google. With a single click on any name you've used on any letter you've posted ..... you'll bring up an ARCHIVE of everything you've ever posted.
Come clean AOL. You're creating unauthorized hyperlinks. Why? Maybe because those links can be sold to advertisers???? Hummm?????
whiteblackatchaMay 11th 2010 4:20AM
I like that you can post this article on facebook
TLMay 11th 2010 4:25AM
I SAID THE SAME THING
TLMay 11th 2010 4:26AM
I like that you can share this article on facebook.
Just block all those stupid f&*^-ing games like farmville and zombies and mafia bull. Dont add anything and just keep it simple.
Facebook helped me connect with old friends but its starting to get annoying with the updated some bull&%$* every other day.
wandawellmanMay 11th 2010 5:05AM
I can't even get on my Facebook account now. It keeps telling me that the site is not avalible & they should have it resolved soon, to try back in a few mins. that was about 30 mins. ago. If anyone has any suggestions about what I should do, please let me know.
OmMay 14th 2010 3:43PM
face book as google.aol.yahoo, collect your info and re-sale it for profit to companies that want to sell you their crap