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Facebook Kerfuffle

by Kay King
16 replies
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Facebook used it's membership to conduct a study on emotions - by attempting to manipulate emotions of 700k of its users....without their knowledge or permission.

Some sites expressing outrage

Anger Builds Over Facebook's Emotion-Manipulation Study

Other sites say "why be surprised"...

If Facebook's Secret Study Bothered You, Then It's Time To Quit Facebook - Forbes

The most shocking information I read is the estimate made that 30% of people get their "news" from Facebook!
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    I didn't see it as them trying to manipulate anyone. More as a test to see if people's posts would start to reflect the tone of what was shown in their feeds. And they did.

    The whole research thing is pretty clearly spelled out as a possibility you agree to in their TOS. They had permission.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

      I didn't see it as them trying to manipulate anyone. More as a test to see if people's posts would start to reflect the tone of what was shown in their feeds. And they did.

      The whole research thing is pretty clearly spelled out as a possibility you agree to in their TOS. They had permission.
      I understand a TOS. But really - how many people actually read those?

      Sites like FB can sneak anything in those. And most times it's written with "legalese" and can be confusing.

      But I suppose if you don't read them you have no reason to complain.

      Frankly, this "news" doesn't surprise me in the least. FB isn't the first to do this kind of thing and they won't be the last.

      I agree with Forbes. Don't like it - close your account.
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    • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
      Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

      The whole research thing is pretty clearly spelled out as a possibility you agree to in their TOS. They had permission.
      Maybe not. It turns out that clause in their TOS was added four months after the "experiment" was conducted.

      Facebook Added 'Research' To User Agreement 4 Months After Emotion Manipulation Study - Forbes

      Call me cynical if you wish, but I believe that clause was added purely to try and avoid the backlash that is now happening.

      Too little, too late.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Mike,

    The language mentioning that is pretty clear. Most people won't read it, but that's another issue, about which many arguments could be made.

    I'm more concerned about the potential misuse of this as a public opinion tool.


    Paul
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    Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Facebook Kerfuffle
      So this isn't a new breakfast pastry
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

      Mike,

      The language mentioning that is pretty clear. Most people won't read it, but that's another issue, about which many arguments could be made.

      I'm more concerned about the potential misuse of this as a public opinion tool.


      Paul
      I'm sure it's being misused already, human / corporate nature being what it is.

      Call me a cynic
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I seldom use Facebook so think it's a bit funny. Marketing firms run tests all the time. This one got attention because it was published as "a paper".

      I think it likely has been used as a public opinion tool already. If you feel free to study and manipulate user emotions - why not try a study on public opinion?
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I don't really care what it says in their TOS - On their main page before you sign up it says:
    "See photos and updates from friends in News Feed. Share what's new in your life on your Timeline."

    It's simple and to the point. The fact that they are showing you only some of your friends updates or photos makes the statement on their main page a huge misrepresentation.

    It can also be a huge misrepresentation of your friends. If I'm only shown negative posts from certain people, then I'm going to assume that the person constantly posting them is a negative person that I don't want to be around. If their negative comments are balanced out by other comments, then I'll assume that they are a normal person having a bad day. If facebook with-holds those other less negative comments, then that is almost libelous in my opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Scarcely a day goes by when I don't celebrate not being on Facebook.

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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Gary,
      It can also be a huge misrepresentation of your friends. If I'm only shown negative posts from certain people, then I'm going to assume that the person constantly posting them is a negative person that I don't want to be around. If their negative comments are balanced out by other comments, then I'll assume that they are a normal person having a bad day.
      That is a really good point. I hadn't considered that one.

      Thanks.


      Paul
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    The results of the study should come as no surprise. The media has been intentionally trying to influence public opinion for decades. Fairly successfully too, I might add.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I don't think the results are a surprise - it's the means to the end that is in question.
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  • Profile picture of the author michael26a
    I don't think Facebook was spying on my account. It's pretty boring, and I barely have any friends on there lol
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Facebook’s creepy psychology experiment being investigated in the UK - Salon.com
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    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    “The goal of all our research at Facebook is to learn how to provide a better service.
    Really. How bout letting us just see more of our friends posts and leaving us the hell alone? That would be awesome service.

    Not much else you can expect, though. People might not realize that Zuckerberg or Zuckerman - whatever he says his last name is..........is a Rockefeller. Would you expect any less, knowing that one?
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    Sal
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    Beyond the Path

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