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Facebook Blocks Google+ App, Google Removes Twitter From Real Time Search

Posted by samzenpus on from the punch-the-person-to-your-left dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Facebook has blocked access to Friend Exporter, a Google Chrome application that helps users import their Facebook contacts into Google's new social network — Google Plus. " Meanwhile, reader dkd903 points out that Google has been busy removing Twitter from real time search, due to a contract expiry with Twitter."

5 of 250 comments (clear)

  1. How Microsoft of Them by causality · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Facebook has blocked access to Friend Exporter, a Google Chrome application that helps users import their Facebook contacts into Google's new social network — Google Plus. "

    Clearly Facebook is afraid to compete on the merits of its services. Isn't that the message whenever any sort of vendorlock is implemented?

    I never before took Google's social network very seriously. Now that Facebook is showing fear of them, and acting so childish about it, I'm willing to reconsider that. To anyone with some sense, Facebook is providing a more stunning endorsement of Google's services than Google itself could have ever created.

    --
    It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
    1. Re:How Microsoft of Them by beuges · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Except that you can test an email platform with a limited amount of users, because those users can still email others outside of your platform, due to the way email works.

      I've had a google+ profile for almost a week, and I haven't bothered logging in after the first day, because none of my friends are on it and I can't invite them either. It's a social network that doesn't allow you to network with your social circle.

      When I mentioned that I had a google+ account, at least a dozen of my friends asked me to invite them, and I couldn't. They'll probably lose interest waiting for an invite, just as I've lost interest waiting to have more friends to interact with.

      How exactly am I supposed to help them test their platform if I can't use it?

  2. People are Facebook's product, not their customers by Bloodwine77 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If there was any doubt as to how Facebook thinks of its users, this should drive home the fact that people are Facebook's product. It is only free if you don't value your information.

  3. So by hjf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When does the antitrust trial begin? It's like Microsoft all over again. Facebook abuses its dominant position on the internet (facebook forms in almost every "web 2.0" website, just like IE was "so tightly integrated in windows that it couldn't be removed"). And now they're also trying to destroy competition by blocking them.

    In comparison, with IE you can at least download another browser. Facebook won't help you in your transition (or let you delete your stuff from their servers).

    Come on, guys... you hated MS for much less than this.

  4. Fortunately redirecting through Yahoo still works. by morgosmaci · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just sign into yahoo using your facebook account and it will even create a throw away yahoo acount for you and import all of your facebook friends as contacts. Then just export those contacts into a vcf and import them into a contact group in gmail. (Or import them directly into G+).