• Facebook policies violate European law according to study
    23 replies, posted
source in Dutch: [URL="http://www.demorgen.be/technologie/willen-of-niet-facebook-volgt-je-surfgedrag-overal-a2271445/"]http://www.demorgen.be/technologie/w...eral-a2271445/[/URL] In English: [URL="http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2015/03/31/facebook-tracks-logged-out-users-in-violation-of-eu-law-belgian-privacy-commission-says/"]http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2015/...mmission-says/[/URL] and [url]http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/31/facebook-tracks-all-visitors-breaching-eu-law-report[/url] Link to the actual report: [URL="http://www.law.kuleuven.be/icri/en/news/item/icri-cir-advises-belgian-privacy-commission-in-facebook-investigation"]http://www.law.kuleuven.be/icri/en/n...-investigation[/URL] (link at the bottom of the page) [quote]To be clear: the changes introduced in 2015 weren’t all that drastic. Most of Facebook’s “new” policies and terms are simply old practices made more explicit. Our analysis indicates, however, that Facebook is acting in violation of European law. [B]First, Facebook places too much burden on its users.[/B] Users are expected to navigate Facebook’s complex web of settings (which include “Privacy”, “Apps”, “Adds”, “Followers”, etc.) in search of possible opt-outs. Facebook’s default settings related to behavioural profiling or Social Ads, for example, are particularly problematic. Moreover, users are offered no choice whatsoever with regard to their appearance in “Sponsored Stories” or the sharing of location data. [B]Second, users do not receive adequate information.[/B] For instance, it isn’t always clear what is meant by the use of images “for advertising purposes”. Will profile pictures only be used for “Sponsored Stories” and “Social Adverts”, or will it go beyond that? Who are the “third party companies”, “service providers” and “other partners” mentioned in Facebook’s data use policy? What are the precise implications of Facebooks’ extensive data gathering through third-party websites, mobile applications, as well recently acquired companies such as WhatsApp and Instagram?[/quote] Bolded by me.
so europes going to sue facebook or something because illegal or not means nothing if they don't enforce it.
[QUOTE=theevilldeadII;47432007]so europes going to sue facebook or something because illegal or not means nothing if they don't enforce it.[/QUOTE] The EU fined Microsoft $794 million for simply bundling IE without any other browsers with Windows, so Facebook is probably not going to get off easy for this.
[QUOTE=theevilldeadII;47432007]so europes going to sue facebook or something because illegal or not means nothing if they don't enforce it.[/QUOTE] Except the EU has a track record of levying pretty harsh fines and sticking with the consumer.
I've been locked out of my facebook account because I wasn't using my real name, now it's permanently there and I can't log back in to remove anything. thanks facebook
I don't use Facebook, so forgive me for not knowing, but how did they get your real name if you were using a fake name?
[QUOTE=Dantz Bolrew;47433949]I don't use Facebook, so forgive me for not knowing, but how did they get your real name if you were using a fake name?[/QUOTE] I never used my real name, however the name I was using is obviously a fake one. I'd imagine either someone reports it or they check over a list of authentic first/last names for verification.
[QUOTE=Beaverlake;47432083]The EU fined Microsoft $794 million for simply bundling IE without any other browsers with Windows, so Facebook is probably not going to get off easy for this.[/QUOTE] I feel like that decision was actually a little extreme. What provision were they fined under?
[QUOTE=Lord_Ragnarok;47434241]I feel like that decision was actually a little extreme. What provision were they fined under?[/QUOTE] Must have been something along the lines of anti-monopoly law. It probably became relevant when Microsoft got an own search engine with own advertising and made that default on every Windows installation. The EU really doesn't like that kind of promotion if one product has virtually no competition but the promoted one does.
[QUOTE=Tamschi;47435144]Must have been something along the lines of anti-monopoly law. It probably became relevant when Microsoft got an own search engine with own advertising and made that default on every Windows installation. The EU really doesn't like that kind of promotion if one product has virtually no competition but the promoted one does.[/QUOTE]I still think it was unjustified. Why is it a crime to bundle your own software into your own software? It just doesn't feel right to me to get fined for that.
[QUOTE=itisjuly;47435233]I still think it was unjustified. Why is it a crime to bundle your own software into your own software? It just doesn't feel right to me to get fined for that.[/QUOTE] Bundling IE with Windows wasn't the problem. The problem was they didn't provide an alternative nor any indication that one existed, hence why IE had always been the most popular browser until recent years.
[QUOTE=elfbarf;47435406]Bundling IE with Windows wasn't the problem. The problem was they didn't provide an alternative nor any indication that one existed, hence why IE had always been the most popular browser until recent years.[/QUOTE]Advertising competitors in my own product seems like a crazy thing.
Not if you own most of the market
The problem is that to 90% of people, windows is the only OS they will ever use. It's a massive monopoly for Microsoft and they're basically butting any competitors out of the market immediately. What's happening here is that Facebook's policies are violating privacy laws, not monopoly laws. This means every nation state will have to individually enforce it. (the commission can only fine companies if they violate rules regarding the free market and competition) Regardless, this study basically does all the work for lawyers in the nation states for them. Point judge towards the study, explain how your client's privacy was violated and watch Facebook get grilled.
[QUOTE=Tamschi;47435144]Must have been something along the lines of anti-monopoly law. It probably became relevant when Microsoft got an own search engine with own advertising and made that default on every Windows installation. The EU really doesn't like that kind of promotion if one product has virtually no competition but the promoted one does.[/QUOTE] It was an anti-competition thing. MS never remotely indicated to people that alternatives existed to IE. At least when it came to the OS you yourself decided which OS you were going to run, but with IE they made it out like that was the only browser by never even hinting at alternatives. It was quite nice installing Vista and having a browser choice application sitting there, waiting for me to pick an alternative if I wanted it. How it should be really. Browsers don't cost anything after all, and it'd certainly save having to start IE just to grab Firefox.
[QUOTE=Jackald;47433890]Yup, EU's pretty hardcore about this shit, Facebook's probably going to see a fine at the very least.[/QUOTE] Just curious. How does the EU have the authority to fine an American company?
[QUOTE=Pantz Master;47437966]Just curious. How does the EU have the authority to fine an American company?[/QUOTE] Because the EU is a rather large market that the american company wants to do business in.
[QUOTE=echelle;47439205]Because the EU is a rather large market that the american company wants to do business in.[/QUOTE] Not only that but MS also has physical presence all over EU
[QUOTE=itisjuly;47435440]Advertising competitors in my own product seems like a crazy thing.[/QUOTE] When you install a european copy of windows it gives you a choice to install either Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome. It's really straightforward, it's not like there's a big ad telling you how good chrome is or something.
[QUOTE=Pantz Master;47437966]Just curious. How does the EU have the authority to fine an American company?[/QUOTE] they're an international company
[QUOTE=Pantz Master;47437966]Just curious. How does the EU have the authority to fine an American company?[/QUOTE] If you do business in EU then you have to follow EU laws
[QUOTE=itisjuly;47435233]I still think it was unjustified. Why is it a crime to bundle your own software into your own software? It just doesn't feel right to me to get fined for that.[/QUOTE] Usage of a dominant position in one market to influence others. In particular browsers and media players. REmember back in the day, browsers were paid software. MS basically trashed that market. If you are active in a country you have to follow said countries law.
[QUOTE=Glent;47439295]When you install a european copy of windows it gives you a choice to install either Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome. It's really straightforward, it's not like there's a big ad telling you how good chrome is or something.[/QUOTE] Browserchoice.eu was for a limited time only. The site is not maintained anymore.
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