2.17.2009

The Less I know, The More I Understand...


"Ms. A you're crazy! Facebook isn't the devil."


I contemplated punishing the blue-eyed tot that called me crazy. Then I realized this was the perfect opportunity to introduce this weeks theme "freedom of speech and expression, how much is it worth?" And, while they may have been right about facebook not being the devil I refuted all claims by opening up my bag to release today's topic thought. It was a crisp and clean copy of the news. There in black and white lay the reason I encourage my students to challenge everything. I told the class that last night lives were bought and sold without them ever knowing.

4 kids revealed that they had a fB. I informed the class that according to fB's newly updated Terms of Use that as of Feb. 4th those 4 kids and everything they ever did across a fB server belonged to not only Mark Zuckerberg, the owner and CEO but, Facebook as a company, forever. According to Facebook my 4 students should have known this was going to happen, but they didn't. Facebook didn't send out a mass notification asking users to sign off on the changes either.They simply updated a note on thier site stating that via the Terms of Use:

"We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete portions of these Terms of Use at any time without further notice.If we do this, we will post the changes to these Terms of Use on this page and will indicate at the top of this page the date these terms were last revised."
The first issue with such terms is that The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in the US has held that companies cannot unilaterally vary the terms of a contract such as this one by merely updating their website, and that actual notice is required to users. I guess that Facebook and/or their lawyers either didn't hear about that case, or they're choosing to ignore it and hope that courts outside the 9th Circuit do likewise.

According to the Consumerist blog, which warned readers of the changes, fB's biggest controversy is surrounding the portion within their updated Terms of Use which states any information or content shared while on the Network is theirs to own, forever.

That means all those documented late-night trips to Wendy's, inappropriate/crude wall post, and Not-so-sober vids will forever remain. I agree that people should consider what they upload before they upload it; BUT is it ok to take material that is not yours and utilize such for the personal betterment of wealth and company growth? Zuckerberg's Monday post sought to downplay fears that Facebook has dark motivations for amassing user data."We wouldn't share your information in a way you wouldn't want," Zuckerberg said.

"But, that's crazy Ms.A. That's real peoples' lives."

Yes, Sarah Lynn it is crazy; and those are real people. I'm all for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor but, this scandal is just down right appalling. I made my about-face from Facebook long ago but, this is enough to make me keep my distance for awhile....or at least Summer.

9 comments:

MarjnHomer said...

So they can take ur material/pics/notes and use it for thier own personal gains and you have no say. Can you sue them?

Anonymous said...

WTH! Facebook. pft more like fuck book. Way to screw us over with the fine print MZ.

Farnnay said...

wow facebook is trying to take over the world.

and your STUDENTS have facebook!? how old are they?

Anonymous said...

I am planning to delete Facebook forever. It has gone tooo far.

Anonymous said...

Oh the price we pay for friends,pokes, and notes.

But, it's addictive nature keeps us coming back for more.

me said...

I read a note this morning on my facebook that they have moved the terms & conditions back to what they were before for now, because of all the complaints they received. ha! Serves them right.

:)

controlled chaos said...

whoa. crazy.
i'm glad u told us :)
and in all seriousness if you're being serious, then seriously i'll tell you when we go traveling

PerplxinTexan♥ said...

MNHomer- Yup, according to the updated and slightly illegal Terms of Use, every and anything, theirs , forever.

Ano-F*ckbook, cute. I kid with mu co-workers about it being a fitnahbook.

CA- I know gasp right! They are 4th graders so about 12ish, maybe younger.

Anonymous said...

Hallo! I came over to thank you for your visit and found a really interesting blog...if a little beyond my technical knowledge.I read that article about face book and now see in my morning paper that'they' hace turned volte face and said they are going back to their original promises.
In my naievity [spell check where are you?] I imaginine there is always a catch...175 million users, for free?
I am coming back to read more.