Web applications developed on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace are becoming a lucrative new business, making millions of dollars and attracting a growing pool of users. Anyone who has a profile is familiar with Zynga's games by now, including Farmville, Fish Ville, Cafe World, and Mafia Wars. As Belinda Luscombe puts it, "Social games promise the golden pork-chop combo of the addictiveness of computer game with the communality of Facebook and MySpace." The company even has hired a behavioral psychologist to develop more addicting applications.
As we have discussed in class, third parties on Facebook do not necessarily abide by all the privacy settings you set and can access your profile information. In the case of Zynga apps, users began sending complaints of mysterious charges. The parent of one user received a cell-phone bill that had $170 of extra charges. How did this happen?
In order to increase their value, these apps often contain many ads and offers for various services. Users looking to increase their points, scores, or standing will pay actual money or accept offers from advertised companies. People don't always know they are paying for offers from Netflix to text message services. Zynga incorporated thousands of these offers without properly monitoring the terms set by these ads. According to founder Mark Pincus, "I did every horrible thing in the book to just get revenues right away."
With countless third parties of third parties, the lack of oversight is to blame. For now Zynga has suspended offers and vows to review ads once they are reactivated. Facebook also claims to be placing stricter guidelines on third party apps. In order to prevent future scams, social networking sites, as well as the companies behind apps must take responsibility for their users’ safety online and ensure financial transactions are not made unintentionally. They must also ensure that offers are legitimate and that credit card use meets industry standards.
Users must also take precautions when utilizing applications. Giving out cell phone or credit card numbers, or any other information makes users vulnerable to unwarranted charges. Be wary when accepting offers. Know who is making the offer and the conditions included. Though a high score may be a click away on a Netflix offer, remember, it’s just a game.
Luscombe, Belinda. "Zynga Harvests The Cyberfarmer." Time, November 30, 2009: 59-60.
Available online: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1940668-2,00.html
Sunday, November 29, 2009
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When I first got a facebook I was pretty big into jet pack as I am sure everyone was. But that is as far as I let the gaming go. I want to know why facebook allows third party programmers come in and make these games that take advantage of users. I'm sure that facebook gets paid but I know I would not want any of my users to be vulnerable to hackers and erroneous charges to credit cards or whatever it may be. I don't like these games and I will continue to stay away from them.
ReplyDeleteOut of boredom, most people tend to do those quizzes and play Zynga games. I admit that I was one of those people. They truly do get addicting, especially if It is really good to see that the companies behind the apps and Facebook itself is taking more action to protect the securities and identities of Facebook users. However, I also believe that it is the job of users to not fall into traps and to monitor their own usage and security. Companies and Facebook can probably only improve security to a certain extent. Of course, some of the apps of facebook can abuse their powers, but the users can also protect themselves by not agreeing to small contract statements.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to lie and say I have never participated in any of the games or quizzes that are on facebook. Boredom simply forced me to take these quizzes and play these games on facebook. However, I agree with what is stated before, I don't understand how facebook allows thee third party companies to access profiles and information about it's users. I feel that this is dangerous and can give lots of information to companies that can harm the users who use facebook. I think that the company should remove the access rights that these companies have to profiles. This will create a safer internet world and online community that will prevent internet fraud.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that Facebook has made claims to try and monitor these apps. I feel that they have protected themselves with the warning we all receive before allowing that application. I used to play farmville, but got fed up with the limitations that came without purchasing "farm bucks".
ReplyDeleteOverall, I feel that facebook and social networking are going to have a huge backlash on our generation when we move on. I am amazed at the information people display to their facebook friends. I don't have the data, but it is pretty common to have 500 or so facebook friends by the latter years of college. Many people broadcast pictures, their relationships, and their feelings through their statuses. This data can be saved by anyone to their hard drive. I think our generation is going to serve as a warning to new users on acceptable social networking behavior.
You look around everyday and people are on Facebook. People are effortlessly and thoughtlessly clicking on to different pages, profiles and games. They aren’t even really thinking just scanning to see what friends and families have been up to. Hackers use this mentality to take advantage through these ads. I can easily see people falling into this trap. If there is a window that pops of to block you where you want to go. Some people are going to quickly click it just to get it out of the way without thinking. They fall into the trap.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Facebook can be a dangerous tool if used the wrong way. Publicizing one's social activity is fine. But to what degree is the question at hand. Unacceptable behavior or even illegal behavior for that matter need not to be all over student's pages. Employers do have access to this information just like everyone else on the internet does. More and more I hear people claiming these 'privacy settings' facebook and other social networks have are pointless and weak. If that is the case, then all users are at risk.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the games, it is just another risk associated with the site. If third party users are able to design games and upload them onto Facebook, then they are also easily uploading malicious software throughout the site. Hackers plague all internet sites throughout the world wibe web. Facebook contains so much personal information that it just seems like the perfect target.
I agree, Facebook can be a dangerous tool if used the wrong way. Publicizing one's social activity is fine. But to what degree is the question at hand. Unacceptable behavior or even illegal behavior for that matter need not to be all over student's pages. Employers do have access to this information just like everyone else on the internet does. More and more I hear people claiming these 'privacy settings' facebook and other social networks have are pointless and weak. If that is the case, then all users are at risk.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the games, it is just another risk associated with the site. If third party users are able to design games and upload them onto Facebook, then they are also easily uploading malicious software throughout the site. Hackers plague all internet sites throughout the world wibe web. Facebook contains so much personal information that it just seems like the perfect target.
In retrospect, it's pretty amazing how vulnerable social networking sites, such as Facebook and Myspace, make us vulnerable on the web. I don't think that we consciously take into account that once our information is posted on the net, it stays on the net. Especially after we discussed the search engine's tool of "cached", we don't realize that people can still look at our information even if we've disabled a website or tried to remove information; it can still be found with enough patience and time.
ReplyDeleteWhen I last logged off of Facebook, there was an open letter from the founder stating that over 350 million individuals currently have a Facebook account. With over 350 million users, I would want Facebook to be very picky with the applications they allow. A great deal of people trust that Facebook will keep their personal information private; however, individuals should know that information on Facebook is easily accessible. I blame Facebook for allowing such applications, but individuals should be careful with the information they share on the Internet, and especially on Facebook. Therefore, both Faceboook and its users should take the proper steps to make Facebook a safe social networking site.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to respond by addressing those people experiencing irregularities their wireless bills stemming from these sorts of app charges. In light of your collective situation, I thought I'd mention a strategy for seriously cutting cell bills that might help. We tend to think of wireless costs as fixed, but you can tinker with your plan to optimize its features to best suit your usage and often generate significant savings in the process. I know this firsthand because I work in the consumer advocacy division of the Houston-based company Validas, where we electronically audit and subsequently reduce the average cell bill by 22 percent through our website, http://www.fixmycellbill.com (and I'll add that 22 percent equates to over $450 per year for the average user).
ReplyDeleteYou can find out for free if fixmycellbill.com can modify your plan to better suit your individual needs by going to the website. Check out Validas in the media, most recently on Fox News at http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/conlaw/lower_cell_phone_bills_072409 .
Good luck to everyone reading on retaking control over your wireless expenses.
Dylan
Consumer Advocacy, Fixmycellbill.com