Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Facebook Will Shut Down Beacon To Settle Lawsuit

Posted by Soulskill on from the strategic-retreats dept.

alphadogg writes "Facebook has agreed to shut down its much-maligned Beacon advertising system in order to settle a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in August of last year, alleged that Facebook and its Beacon affiliates like Blockbuster and Overstock.com violated a series of laws, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act, the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and the California Computer Crime Law. The proposed settlement, announced late on Friday, calls not only for Facebook to discontinue Beacon, but also back the creation of an independent foundation devoted to promoting online privacy, safety and security. The money for the foundation will come from a US$9.5 million settlement fund."

3 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. This is Unamerican by moredots · · Score: -1, Troll

    I feel like requiring users to opt in and fully explaining to them what they are opting into is a better solution. I liked this technology (as a Facebook and Blockbuster Online user), and having it taken away because some vocal minority of paranoid privacy advocates are worried someone will find out that they watched Wild Things 2 last night is not American. This is a free country, if I want to open myself up to this, that should be my choice. Then again... obamacare, bailouts... I guess this isn't America anymore anyway.

    1. Re:This is Unamerican by kuzb · · Score: 0, Troll

      I have opt-in medical care, living in america, and no one pays for my health insurance.

      Its really not that hard to do.

      Expecting someone else to take care of your lazy ass because you're too stupid to read the fine print or spend some of your own time figuring out what you're signing up for is rather unamerican.

      You can change the medical situation in america without government intervention. Truth be told however, you'd rather sit there and do nothing and not make any effort yourself directly to change anything, which will result in everyone getting another shitty government ran mess.

      I know people from other countries that have come to get american health care. I know of no one who has left to get health care. Just my own personal experience of course, but you'll have to pardon me if I take my real world experiences rather than that of someone on slashdot who is just whining about something they want someone else to do something about. Feel free to do the same yourself.

      You sir, are an idiot who hasn't done any research.

      --
      BeauHD. Worst editor since kdawson.
  2. Re:What a great fiction! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    And yet, not surprisingly, we see exactly fuck all from you.

    No, sorry, you tried a childish insult, but as far as facts and evidence? Nothing.

    So, go try that stupidity of yours on someone who gives a fuck what tossers who make idiotic claims and don't support them think.