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Judge Rejects Settlement In Facebook Sponsored Stories Case

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-deal dept.

angry tapir writes "A U.S. District Court judge has rejected a proposed settlement in a lawsuit that alleges Facebook violated users' rights by using their names and recommendations of advertisers to be publicized through a Sponsored Stories program. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, was filed in the Northern District of California by five Facebook members on behalf of as many as 100 million users of the social networking site."

6 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why is it legal at all? by gr8_phk · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why should Facebook get to use my picture to promote things I've never heard of? They get to display ads, isn't that enough?

    Hence the lawsuit.

  2. Re:Why is it legal at all? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Because you agreed to it in exchange for the valuable consideration of access to their services.

    Although they really should have sent you a dollar, because at the rate the stock is falling, you won't really be able to call that "valuable consideration" much longer.

  3. How much good will is worth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So, let me get this straight... with Facebook, we are the product since they have no tangible property other than what we feed it. The proposed class-action involves an estimated 10 x10^7 people. To make everyone happy, Facebook proposes that they pay $10 x 10^6 to third-party organizations that promote privacy. Not only are they not compensating the people, they are paying roughly a dime a head to a third party organization that has no bearing on Facebooks policies and practices.

    Us:"I don't like they way you're treating my data and my posted stories of my life"
    Facebook:"Would it make you feel better if I gave this guy you've never met 10 cents?"

    1. Re:How much good will is worth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The difference is that what Google's trying to do is beneficial to society - create a giant collection of knowledge, free. Many groups have hailed it as an essential step in accessibility of previously unavailable texts.

      Facebook is selling your face as ads.

  4. Re:Why is it legal at all? by oldredlion · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Why should Facebook get to use my..."

    http://m5.paperblog.com/i/8/82628/hero-comparison-wikileaks-vs-facebook-assange-L-NiA62d.jpeg

  5. Re:Why is it legal at all? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why should Facebook get to use my picture to promote things I've never heard of?

    Because you agreed that it was alright for them to do.

    I don't know why you'd agree to something like that. It seems foolish to me, but you get to make your own choices.