Facebook to Quell Users Concerns

12/6/2007
Susie Kopecky
Social networking site Facebook has been on the defensive lately as users rebel against its new marketing strategy.

Beacon: 1.) a person or thing that illuminates or inspires. B.) a guiding or warning symbol. Thousands of facebook users have viewed Facebook's Beacon platform as a warning sign itself, as it offers other users the chance to view recent purchases by their friends. According to TIME, over 40 websites including Overstock.com and Fandago, are partnered with the Beacon program to offer sensitive purchasing information to any friend on facebook. TIME also reports that more than 50,000 angry users signed an online petition calling for an end or serious change to the Beacon system and its purported violation of privacy. Facebook is reportedly trying to subdue users' rage by instead offering an explicit "opt-in" option for Beacon, whereby users can decide whether or not they want their information to be privy to public knowledge.

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