[IxDA Discuss] Changes to Facebook (Perceived Privacy)

[Nasir Barday]

Sebi wrote:

> Haven't seen it either. But maybe this is also a case of 'Don't translate
> technology into design'. The FOAF specification (they must be using that
> or
> something similar) only defines basic binary relationships, like 'X knows
> Y', and is put to best use only as a basis for defining the more complex
> relationships we have in real-life.


Facebook's "only show this friend my limited profile" preference lets you
distinguish friends vs. acquaintances. This is similar to Flickr's "Mark
contact as Friend" and "Mark contact as Family" options, with specific
permissions on pictures for each group. Facebook's approach still seems more
technology-oriented, since the goal isn't to "show X a limited profile" but
to keep friends and acquaintances separate.

The main reason this fiasco blew up was things like changes in relationship
status showed up as a news flash for everyone in the network to see. Users
felt that making this info obvious was inappropriate, even for their close
friends.

- N