Tracking the community

September 12th, 2006

Is this good or bad?

Some Users Find New Facebook Features “Creepy

What happens when a social network gets too plugged in? Facebook is finding out after launching a News Feed that shows all the comings and goings of a user’s network and a Mini-Feed.

I’ve been able to take a look over the virtual shoulder of a friend with Facebook and can understand why one user started a group called the new facebook news feed is SUPER CREEPY!!! It already has nearly 150 members and describes the feature as stalker style. As soon as someone joins the group, it’s broadcast on the news feed.

A petition brought 30,000 people to petition Facebook that this activity was not OK

To: Administrators of Facebook.com

To the administrators of Facebook.com on the date of September 5, 2006:

Whereas Facebook.com is a social networking Web site and utility owned as a private company started in February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg;

Whereas Facebook.com is a useful and entertaining tool for those on its networks;

Whereas the users on Facebook.com support the site?s stated philosophy of helping people spread information through social networks;

Whereas the users on Facebook.com understand the privacy settings and their role in protecting personal, private information;

Whereas drastic changes were make to Facebook.com on September 5, 2006, including the introduction of the ?News Feed? and ?Mini Feed? that call into question the safety and privacy of its more than 9 million users;

Whereas there has been an unprecedented outpouring of opposition to the changes within the community;

Whereas many users feel uncomfortable participating on Facebook.com because of the changes to the point that some have deactivated their accounts;

We, the Facebook.com user community:

–Encourage Facebook.com administrators to actively communicate and consult with users in a democratic dialogue concerning any current and future changes.

AND:

–Demand the immediate removal of the ?news feed? and ?mini feed? feature from Facebook.com.

OR:

–Allow an individual to remove himself or herself from the ?news feed? and ?mini feed? feature on other users? page.
–Allow an individual to remove his or her own personal ?news feed? and ?mini feed? feature from his or her personal profile.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned