Comments on: Facebook Beacon: The Great Privacy PR Stunt

By: miles

miles — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:46:16 +0000

That is a very good spin on it Matt, however I wouldn’t give them that much credit for such sophisticated foresight. However, next time you see someone do this, you’re in trouble for first suggesting it, heh!

By: cranial-bore

cranial-bore — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:28:36 +0000

Given the Facebook terms of use the company is probably of the impression that they can do anything they want with no ill consequences ever. They may have been surprised to learn that some Facebook users pay attention to their privacy.

Facebook would sell children if it were profitable enough.

By: mrsmiley

mrsmiley — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:27:58 +0000

For one or two people to be ignorant of the impending backlash is one thing, for an entire company + shareholders (eg. Microsoft et al) to be totally ignorant of the matter is something else altogether.

Orchestrated or accidental, I’d subscribe to that theory in part. Although the way it was handled has left Mark looking like the goose in this instance because of a) delayed reaction and b) his stage presence leaves a lot to be desired. Sure they did admit they did something bad though, which actually turns them into good guys somehow. I wonder many times you could try a trick like that before everyone gives up

By: Kyle Spector

Kyle Spector — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:23:38 +0000

The big question is what this could mean for the future of Web 2.0 advertising. We commented on it here: http://changewaves.socialtechnologies.com/home/2007/12/6/st-in-the-news-facebooks-fumble.html

By: eljefe

eljefe — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:40:17 +0000

I agree to some extent, the issue is they are taking it a bit too fast IMHO.

But still, looking back, there was an even bigger backlash on the feeds and now, everyone’s cool with the feeds.

I predict in a few months, everyone will be complacent with beacon.

By: Simon Mackie

Simon Mackie — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:19:02 +0000

Interesting theory. But given the number of parties involved, I think it was just a monumental balls-up (and quite possibly illegal according to the Video Privacy Protection Act of 1988.)

By: Someone who knows the PR firm

Someone who knows the PR firm — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:40:43 +0000

No. Not planned. Worst handling of public relations around a new feature/product I have ever seen.

-Someone who knows the Facebook PR firm and knows crisis meetings were happening the day of the apology. Sad day for the PR profession.