MySpace To Sell User Data

OnlyJedi writes "Hot on the news of Netflix canceling its latest contest over privacy concerns, news has spread that MySpace is going in the opposite direction. Apparently, the one-time leading social network is now selling user data to third party collection firms. From the article, the data that InfoChimps has listed includes 'user playlists, mood updates, mobile updates, photos, vents, reviews, blog posts, names and zipcodes.' InfoChimps is a reseller that deals with individuals and groups, from academic researchers to marketers and industry analysts. So if you're worried about your data on MySpace being sold off to anybody with a few hundred dollars, now's the time to delete that little-used account."

Comments

So you think its really that easy?

[arcite]

Just hit the 'delete' button and your data is safe? Too late, they got you.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[dunezone]

The only way I can think of removing your information is to edit your profile with random information that makes sense but is generic. Replace all critical information such as addresses or phone numbers with fake addresses. Remove all photos and just have a few generic stock photos. The idea is to make the account look legit but with no information that can be used against you.

This will correct the issue of current viewable information. Next you need to lock down your profile with as much security as possible, disable messages, turn on approvals for anything, lock it down like Fort Knox so it stays static as long as possible.

Now comes the part you have no control over. You need to let the account sit for months if not years. Over time they (Myspace or Facebook) will need to purge older backups and can only keep current relevant information. So now the older backups are over-written and being written into the system is your current BS profile, but this can take months to years to do and that depends on how much Myspace/Facebook or any social site is willing to retain.

Whatever you do, don't just delete the account or use their automated deletion system cause that's not really doing the job you want. That most likely puts it into a special repository for recoveries in case you want to come back.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[Midnight Thunder]

The only way I can think of removing your information is to edit your profile with random information that makes sense but is generic.

How about adding some details about the people running MySpace in your profile?

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[pixelpusher220]

Reasonable suggestions, unless they also are tracking changes to accounts. In that case, they keep all the values that have ever been used. For instance, "Hey user '1@m1337' has lived in Ohio, Florida and Tijuana". Time to check for drugs!

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[Anonymous Coward]

The only way I can think of removing your information is to edit your profile with random information that makes sense but is generic. Replace all critical information such as addresses or phone numbers with fake addresses. Remove all photos and just have a few generic stock photos. The idea is to make the account look legit but with no information that can be used against you. This will correct the issue of current viewable information. Next you need to lock down your profile with as much security as possible, disable messages, turn on approvals for anything, lock it down like Fort Knox so it stays static as long as possible. Now comes the part you have no control over. You need to let the account sit for months if not years. Over time they (Myspace or Facebook) will need to purge older backups and can only keep current relevant information. So now the older backups are over-written and being written into the system is your current BS profile, but this can take months to years to do and that depends on how much Myspace/Facebook or any social site is willing to retain. Whatever you do, don't just delete the account or use their automated deletion system cause that's not really doing the job you want. That most likely puts it into a special repository for recoveries in case you want to come back.

The only way I can think of removing your information is to edit your profile with random information that makes sense but is generic. Replace all critical information such as addresses or phone numbers with fake addresses. Remove all photos and just have a few generic stock photos. The idea is to make the account look legit but with no information that can be used against you. This will correct the issue of current viewable information. Next you need to lock down your profile with as much security as possible, disable messages, turn on approvals for anything, lock it down like Fort Knox so it stays static as long as possible. Now comes the part you have no control over. You need to let the account sit for months if not years. Over time they (Myspace or Facebook) will need to purge older backups and can only keep current relevant information. So now the older backups are over-written and being written into the system is your current BS profile, but this can take months to years to do and that depends on how much Myspace/Facebook or any social site is willing to retain. Whatever you do, don't just delete the account or use their automated deletion system cause that's not really doing the job you want. That most likely puts it into a special repository for recoveries in case you want to come back.

A good idea, but it may not be necessary to wait. Just change the user info and cancel the account. A company selling a list of user data, wont try to figure out which is the accurate information, they will just use the most recent. Based on some direct mail marketing experience years ago, a list a year old is expected to have incorrect addresses for approximately 10% to 20%.. Many companies wont buy a list older than 90 or 180 days.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[B'Trey]

There is nothing you can do to ensure that data you've already entered is gone. Even if you delete photos and change the info, there's no guarantee that the previous info is not stored. That being said, I deleted my account when I saw this earlier this morning on another site. When they asked me why I was deleting the account, I checked "Privacy concerns." In the comments section, I pasted a quote from the article noting what they were selling and followed it up with a single word: Bye. If enough people do this, Facebook will get the message that users are unhappy with this decision, even if deleting the account doesn't protect already-entered data.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[g0bshiTe]

Of course if you did this in the first place as I did, you have little to be concerned with, and with a photo that is 10 years old, good luck using that to identify me especially seeing how when i registered i never used my name or any valid information other than a real email address and my city complete with incorrect zip code. I did the same 3 years ago when I signed up for Facebook. Once I started hear how Facebook handles this data, I am glad I chose to do it.

Which begs another question which should probably be under Ask Slashdot. How many users here create accounts using real information, aside from sites like PayPal or where it would be required for your activities. I'm talking like email accounts, MySpace, Facebook, or even /. I'd be interested to know if I'm the only one using false information in 98% of my online endeavors.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[Sockatume]

Better yet, poison the well. Change your account data to be complete garbage. It's going to skew their demographics and reduce the value of the data.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[Hurricane78]

No. Removing your profile is really easy. Just edit it into a troll profile. Replace all images with the pain series, 50 hitlers / swastikas, etc. Edit all texts to the most offensive ones possible. And don’t forget to put a “song” “owned” by the biggest douche out there on your site. Something by Warner Music or the like.

Will get you deleted in less than an hour. Guaranteed. ^^

But don’t forget to “unfriend” all your friends before you do so! ;)

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[natehoy]

You mean MySpace, right? I mean, Facebook is just about as trustworthy as MySpace or a 5-year-old child at keeping your "secret" data "secret", but at least get your evil super-villain correct.

Also, if you just delete the account, they have your most recent information available for sale. Be sure to alter the information and let the new information age a bit before deleting it.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[ZeroExistenZ]

There are automated services for this: suicidemachine.org

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[marcansoft]

I use my real name most of the time (except for throwaway accounts), because quite frankly I don't like to appear as "hiding" behind an online nickname, and names aren't exactly sensitive information. Usually the only time I'm asked my address is when I want to buy something; 99% of the other cases it's scammy/spammy/throwaway sites that I'm typing junk info into anyway. As for birth date, I tend to make that up, but not always. I'm quite a bit less paranoid than most people I know though; e.g. if you want my address (feel free to send me cool stuff :P), all you have to do is perform a WHOIS lookup on my domain.

But really, it all boils down to not using public websites for private stuff. The only website that I use that can be considered to be a social networking site is Twitter, and I use it to engage in public conversation anyway. If I want to talk in private, I use e-mail or IRC, preferably on private servers. If I put something on-line, chances are I probably want you to be able to find it.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[ircmaxell]

Well, unless I misunderstood their TOS, when you signed up, you granted MySPACE the right to do what it pleases with your data. By deleting your account, aren't you thereby revoking that right from MySPACE? So if you delete it today, and they sell it tomorrow, aren't they violating your rights (and hence are liable for the sale)... Or do I not understand this correctly?

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[mlush]

I drive a bunch of kids to school. They all have two accounts, one real and one fake. -learn from them...

This is moderately effective against snooping parents and teachers, but its moot to the hosting company, in fact they probably like it as they get to sell two 'users' data for the price of one

The only safe options are:-

• Don't put it on line
• Run their own servers

For you schoolkids option 2. could be viable. There Apprear to be a number of free options. OTOH I could see a whole pit of trouble for the admin if things go sour.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[operagost]

The user agreement may have used the term "perpetual" in reference to the license on your information.

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[postmasterfoo.com]

Well, quite. Any entity that shouldn't be sending me anything but insists on contact details anyway gets postmaster@foo.com, and the snail and phone details from whois foo.com

Dude, stop it! I'm so tired of all the spam you generate for my servers!! Just, please, STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING!!

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[Cryacin]

Creating an account to get mod points. Now THAT'S commitment!

Re:So you think its really that easy?

[chgros]

names aren't exactly sensitive information
Names are actually the most sensitive information, since that's the easiest way to identify you. It's the association of the name with whatever you used it for that's valuable, not the name in itself.

How Stupid do you have to be

[Anonymous Coward]

To let Rupert Murdoch own your personal information . . . geez!

Typical Murdoch

[benjfowler]

Since it's owned by News Corporation, it'd be fair to say that it draws from the Murdoch family's deep well of moral squalor. So selling user data to the highest bidder, in addition to attacking Murdoch's ideological enemies, is being just true to form for these people.

I can't say I'm surprised.

Deleting does no good

[Jessta]

I don't think deleting your Myspace account will do anything. They already have your data and you already agreed to allow them to redistribute it, just because you delete your account doesn't mean they have to delete your data. Facebook has the same agreement and will get to selling your data to the highest bidder sooner or later.

It's amazing that people will trade the labours of their mind for mere web hosting.

Re:Deleting does no good

[Anonymous Coward]

However; deleting your account will keep them from gathering any further data. Be sure to explain, in graphic detail in their "reason why" box why you are deleting your account.

If their account #s drop by a third, they should get the message, whether we already "Agreed" to let them sell this info or not.

Re:Deleting does no good

[Chees0rz]

It's amazing that people will trade the labours of their mind for mere web hosting.

It's amazing people consider facebook and myspace as "mere web hosting;" social networks are about connectedness. I am not defending them, but you're trivializing these communities and showing your ignorance.

Re:Deleting does no good

[Blue Stone]

>They already have your data and you already agreed to allow them to redistribute it, just because you delete your account doesn't mean they have to delete your data.

Well, the cancellation page says:

"WARNING: Cancelling your MySpace account will permanently remove all of your profile information from MySpace, including your photos, comments, blog entries, videos, and your personal network of friends. This information cannot be restored. You may re-register your current email address after cancelling, but you will need to rebuild your personal network from scratch. "

Which seems to suggest that they will delete your data - assuming you're prepared to believe anything spewing from the many fetid mouths of the Murdochian Empire.

Re:Deleting does no good

[mpe]

Well, the cancellation page says:
"WARNING: Cancelling your MySpace account will permanently remove all of your profile information from MySpace, including your photos, comments, blog entries, videos, and your personal network of friends. This information cannot be restored. You may re-register your current email address after cancelling, but you will need to rebuild your personal network from scratch. "
Which seems to suggest that they will delete your data - assuming you're prepared to believe anything spewing from the many fetid mouths of the Murdochian Empire.

It only says that you can't get it back (in the original form) it says nothing about what the company may still be able to do with it. Even if they were actually telling lies what's likely to happen to them?

Re:Deleting does no good

[idontgno]

Social networks are about pseudo-connectedness. Yes, they facilitate (i.e., make easier) real existing connections of actual social value, but they also enable (i.e., make possible) false connections with no actual underlying social significance. Witness Facebookers who have literally 4-5 digit numbers of "friends", or who "friend" commercial and marketing entities, or who have dozens of friends they've never met IRL and never will.

Let's face it, RL is all that actually matters.

That said, it's almost impossible to trivialize those "communities" beyond their inherent triviality. Furthermore, baseless and ad-hominem accusations of ignorance is not merely defense, but fanboi-level defense, and is probably one of the few things which can make the shallow inanity of these social networks glaringly obvious.

Seriously... if you want connectedness and socialization, get out of Mom's basement. Or write a letter. You know, pen on paper? Or get together with real human beings.

Re:Deleting does no good

[Anonymous Coward]

Did you really just accuse him of ad hominem attacks and then tell him to get out of his mom's basement?

Re:Deleting does no good

[FlyingBishop]

Let's face it, RL is all that actually matters.

Facebook is RL. I only have friends on Facebook that I want to talk to. Like any tool, you misuse it and it loses its efficacy.

What's in the data?

[mea37]

Yes, I see that it includes playlists and crap like that.

So what's the level of detail? Can I see an individual user, or just summaries at some predetermined granularity? If I can see individual users, can I see their name? If I buy a location-based dataset, can I see the exact GPS coordinates of a data point, or just ZIP code clusters, or what?

TFS is definitely worded to spread fear. As much as I dislike companies taking liberties with data they've collected - especially with no accountable opt-out for people who've already handed their data over with no expectation of this sort of behavior - I'd still like to know more about what's actually gonig on before jumping on the FUD bandwagon.

Oh, and seriously... if they are up to no good, do you really think deleting your account is going to make a difference? We're talking about the Internet; once you put something in, you can't take it back out.

Re:What's in the data?

[mea37]

No, you just need to work on reading comprehension. Here's a quick grammar lesson: In the sentence you quoted, I refered to the user multiple times in the 2nd person ("you", "your"). It should be clear to anyone literate that a 3rd-person pronoun ("they") is not referring to the same person as a 2nd-person pronoun in the same sentence.

"They" in "if they are up to no good" means MySpace, asshat.

MySpace? Who cares? You should be concerned about.

[i_want_you_to_throw_]

Facebook. Obviously all that matters in any of these enterprises is that the owners make money. Facebook is hard charging and building pretty solid for the inevitable day, in the very near future is going to come when..
1. Facebook is bought by someone with DEEP pockets
2. The said purchasers looks to make money from all that data that has been amassed.
MySpace is Sunday School by comparison.

Re:MySpace? Who cares? You should be concerned abo

[Anonymous Coward]

Google won't always be owned by the original founders either...

Re:What is myspace?

[pixelpusher220]

The problem is what information will you be afraid of 10 years from now? Think Michael Phelps and his bong hits. Granted he should have been afraid of those pics *now* but for most kids it won't matter to them until they need a job that does background checks.

I Still Use It...

[TheNinjaroach]

I know that Myspace gets a lot of crap for their often ugly and tasteless profile pages, but I really love being able to customize my own HTML and CSS on my profile. It's funny to me that the often pro-choice Slashdot crowd sees these features as a bad thing. Sure, most people choose to use awful profile templates but personally I enjoy having the choice to add some clean and simple decorations. Facebook doesn't offer that choice, nor do they offer the choice to opt-out of a few terrible paragraphs in their ToS, which is why I left two years ago.

I will have to re-read the new Myspace ToS before I decide whether or not to cancel my account, but if they go the way of Facebook's "We can re-license your personal photographs to whomever we want" terms then I will certainly be leaving Myspace as well. Where will I go? Who knows, perhaps it's time for me to clean the dust off of my personal domain.

Re:Old Site

[Huntr]

When Facebook goes down, they'll do the same thing. Deleting your info doesn't help, either. As soon as you post it, they have it.

Google has far more interesting information

[perpenso]

Actually Google has far more information about individuals. The common perception that Google is a "search" company is mistaken. In truth they are a "targeted advertising" company. Search, GMail, Android, etc are ways to collect information on you and ways to deliver targeted ads. Google also delivers targeted ads to participating 3rd party web sites. Currently they do not sell profile information but if you want to list companies that are hypothetically in a position to do so in the future they certainly should be on the list.

It is the death sigh...

[odin84gk]

Circuit City did the same thing when it went bankrupt. It sold all of its user data to other companies. This is just another sign that MySpace is dying.
(I went to Microcenter (AMAZING STORE! Better than Newegg!) and bought something. They already had my information and informed me that they bought it from Circuit City. I don't really mind, but it was still strange.)

Whew!

[TheVelvetFlamebait]

It's times like this I'm glad I'm with Facebook!

Releasing info on minors is probably prohibited

[perpenso]

Releasing personally identifiable information (names or contact info for example) on minors is probably legally prohibited. They can probably only release aggregate non-identifiable information. Also minors can not legally enter into a contract (in the US) so terms of use agreements that allow the release of personally identifiable information may not be valid. Perhaps an EFF lawyer can send a letter.