by Kate
20. October 2010 06:07
Facebook has repeatedly assured its users that they will put an end to the leakage of private data of their users. So far, it seems this has not happened. In a recent Wall Street Journal investigation, a new problem seems to have arisen: Every one of the 10 most popular applications on Facebook, and this includes Texas Hold’Em, have been releasing private information about people using these apps and this is even happening to people who have the highest possible privacy settings.
Facebook claims that the information sold about its users has been completely anonymous- Facebook gives the companies information about users’ interests but they never reveal who the users are. But it seems this is not the case, some of the apps have been transmitting users’ unique Facebook User ID numbers and once these have been divulged the users’ names and friends’ names can be found. This means that the personal information of millions of users is being leaked.
Facebook has now responded to the repost by saying that they are trying to “dramatically limit” the leaks but a spokesperson did say: "A Facebook User ID may be inadvertently shared by a user's internet browser or by an application." He also added that knowledge of an ID number "does not permit access to anyone's private information on Facebook."
After the Wall Street Journal released this information about the apps sending Facebook ID numbers to at least 25 advertising and data-mining firms, the mentioned apps suddenly became unavailable.