Facebook's "Evil Interfaces"

An anonymous reader writes "Tim Jones over at the EFF's Deep Links Blog just posted an interesting article on the widespread use of deceptive interface techniques on the Web. He began by polling his Twitter and Facebook audience for an appropriate term for this condition and received responses like 'Bait-and-Click' and 'Zuckerpunched.' Ultimately, he chose 'Evil Interfaces' from Greg Conti's HOPE talk on malicious interface design and follow-up interview with media-savvy puppet Weena. Tim then goes on to dissect Facebook (with pictures). So, what evil interfaces have you encountered on (or off) the Web?"

Comments

evil interfaces

[MRe_nl]

"So, what evil interfaces have you encountered on (or off) the Web"?

Outlook Express.

Re:evil interfaces

[Anonymous Coward]

what are the evil parts of the interface you're referring to?

The "kill puppies" button. Or is that only on my copy of Outlook?

Re:evil interfaces

[gyrogeerloose]

The "kill puppies" button. Or is that only on my copy of Outlook?

Nah, mine has that too. It's right next to the "Famine" button, between the "Pestilence" and "War" buttons.

Re:evil interfaces

[zippthorne]

It's very nice, especially if you want to run something on other people's computers....

slashdot's change password interface

[Anonymous Coward]

I tried to change my password and now I can't log in anymore.

Zuckerpunched

[Arancaytar]

Should have gone with that name.

Re:Zuckerpunched

[Carewolf]

I prefer zucking as the equivalent of phishing information out of users. Facebook zucks information, other phish. After zucking, FB then zuckmines for profit!

Re:Ok, honestly

[Rude Turnip]

Conduct all your debauchery in the privacy of your own home and you'll be OK.

Re:They shouldn't give us anything

[zippthorne]

Exactly. Before disabling your account, make sure you change your name to bobby tables.

Fake virus scans on OS X

[qwertyatwork]

I love it when I get a pop up from a virus scanner, or fake youtube page that looks like XP on my Mac. The XP theme on OS X is so out of place.

Re:Ok, honestly

[Anonymous Coward]

That doesn't stop 'friends' putting information about you on their profile or tagging photos with your name.

I don't have any friends so I don't have anything to worry about. People thought I was crazy for being an anti-social loner. Now the joke is on them.

Yup - maybe an approach?

[cheros]

It's actually a volume question. If we all would start using that term, and then get some well known people to follow suite, *WE* would define the term. I must admit I like the whole idea of using "zuck" for any deceptive activity that impacts your privacy - I would support that no problem. "Evil interfaces" is, sorry, total crap.

First of all will it confuse people with Google's "Do no evil unless we make money on it", secondly it's not very creative and about as juveline as the content of that video they made. No, "zuck" is IMHO MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH better.

The game section, the occasional comment box

[SmallFurryCreature]

Oh hell, all of slashdot is pretty much evil. It whispers to me: "Visit me, don't work, don't eat, kill your loved ones and strangers. Mod ME!" And I obey.