Facebook Question

[Ms Thrifty]

A question to those who do use Facebook, please: I reluctantly set up a basic account solely in the hope of entering comps, though in practice I don't do this because I've found the organisers want permission to do things I'm not prepared to agree to. However, how does Facebook know whom I might know? If I do look at my page, it suggests "friends" and some of them are indeed colleagues of mine, but how does the programme work this out? I haven't added any info regarding education or work so no possible links there.

[anakin]

If you have added any friends at all it might suggest mutual friends. If you have a smart phone and have Facebook on that it can often link the two and work it out that way. I'm guessing it's not the latter, so I think it very much depends on what you have actually done on Facebook... Not sure if that will have helped?

Actually, if you have used an email address that your friends might have, it might be that it's added two and two from their account / smartphone and suggested them to you?

[canadian_turtle]

I think in your case it might be your e-mail address. FB can cross reference people in your email account with those already signed on I think.

[Beate]

That's why I am still shying away from Big Brother Facebook - there is no real privacy.

[canadian_turtle]

That's what additional e-mail addresses are for that you can solely use for competitions and things such as FB

[Ms Thrifty]

Thank you for the suggestions, anakin and c_t and yes, Beate, I share your concerns about privacy. I think eventually Facebook will be forced to back down and allow people to remove info which is currently "locked in" but that day may be some time coming.

I am still puzzled about how Facebook could connect me to others, though, as in the case of the potential "friends" suggested, they do not have my home e-mail address; I have no contact with them outside work and (obviously) I have not used my work e-mail address.

[Yinster]

Has your facebook account have any friends and if so what type of friends. If there is a basis of friends then facebook will automatically try to work out your networks from the people you added. It could be simply someone mentioning you or even tagging you in a photo previously that you do not know about.

As for facebook competitions yes there is a number of them will ask to opt in to your information and if you refuse then you can't entered. Facebook has tried to clean up their competitions route but I think they fail considerably. You think by entering your email address if you win you get the prize. However there is a growing number of "users" who pretend to be actual winners to get the prizes as some of them will set a new account with the winner's name and then email the company. I think it was better the old way when companies notify the winners themselves instead of the other way. Some still do but they are not suppose to do. As facebook believe companies you like are not like facebook friends so should not have the same access as your friends do. But then we go back to opt ins.

[canadian_turtle]

You think by entering your email address if you win you get the prize. However there is a growing number of "users" who pretend to be actual winners to get the prizes as some of them will set a new account with the winner's name and then email the company.

I had no idea that was happening, how ridiculous!!

[funthing29]

I think it is stupid when a comp posts:

The winner is Mr X and please email johndoe@wherever.com to claim your prize.

That happens on twitter as well which seems silly as it is an invitation for people to fraudulently claim a prize.

[canadian_turtle]

You're absolutely right, I never thought about it though. *naive*