Why I'm Blocking Facebook Beacon and How

I like Facebook. It's allowed me to get back in touch with a bunch of friends from the past, and it's also an easy way to keep up with what they are doing. But after reading about Facebook Beacon this morning from Om Malik, I've decided to block and opt-out of their new Beacon feature. I'm sure it might be somewhat useful, but I have to draw the line at separate companies sharing my shopping details with each other without asking me first. It's just too much and I think they've really crossed a line by creating the system as an opt-out instead of opt-in. I don't think we should have to agree for you NOT to do something that I might not like. If my son was to punch a friend and then claim that his friend never opted-out from getting a beating do you think that would fly with me?

If you'd like to know how to opt-out and block Beacon then the following links will help. I'm a Firefox user so I used the BlockSite addon as well as opting out, the link below from Wikihow will show you how to do both. If you're not a Firefox user now I highly recommend you try it, you can download it here. Fingers crossed that keeps me covered.

Detailed instructions and screenshots for opting out of Facebook Beacon.

Comments

[maneck]

Steven - if your son bought ice cream from a vendor, and the vendor said I'm going to tell everyone your son bought ice cream from me is that OK ? what would you say?

Also I think you can opt out from Beacon in the Privacy settings directly on FB now? is that not the case?

[Steven Kempton]

If someone wants a testimonial then I'd expect them to ask. They want to tell people that you bought something, not that you liked it or that you recommend it. It's just plain broadcasting what you do. I might not even have a problem with that, and I don't have too much of a problem with Facebook tracking me. But I draw the line and where they share that info with other companies and then want me to opt-out instead of opting in. It might be old fashioned but I'd prefer they asked me first. You normally can't do anything without "confirming" on FB, what's wrong with asking if you want to opt-in to sharing all your purchase details? I think we both know the reason why they prefer opt-out in the case of Beacon.

You see if they just asked I'd agree for sure. I'm keen to share how quickly we go through toilet paper at my house, and which prescription drugs we're abusing. Perhaps they can build an app that show how big my pants get over time, or even how long it takes to go through deodorant ("the stinkometer" - don't steal that idea Maneck!). The uses are truly limitless. I think I'll go change my settings back right now, maybe they've already done it for me....