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Facebook Silently Removes Ability To Download Your Posts

Posted by Unknown on from the probably-best-to-forget dept.

dcollins writes "Facebook has a 'Download Info' capability that I've used regularly since 2010 to archive, backup, and search all the information that I've written and shared there (called 'wall posts'). But I've discovered that sometime in the last few months, Facebook silently removed this largest component from the Downloaded Info, locking up all of your posted information internally where it can no longer be exported or digitally searched. Will they reverse course if this is publicized and they're pressured on the matter?" It does appear that the archive of your wall posts is now only available through the not-very-useful Activity Log.

9 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. has that ever worked? by Trepidity · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Will they reverse course if this is publicized and they're pressured on the matter?

    How often has that been successful in getting Facebook to change anything?

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  2. Re:Malicious? by gl4ss · · Score: 5, Insightful

    not having to fix the download info tool to work with something minor that broke it.

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  3. Re:Malicious? by mwvdlee · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Obvious benefit is that it makes it harder for their Products to move to a possible competitor's website should they want to do so.

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  4. Re:Malicious? by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 4, Insightful

    They don't want you to able to access your stuff if you're not on Facebook. This "encourages" you to stay on Facebook.

  5. Captive audience by ultranova · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I don't really understand why Facebook would do this. What benefit is there for them?

    The harder it is for you to download your data, the harder it is for you to leave.

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    Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  6. Re:Malicious? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This. Probably one person that knows how to keep it running, and they got busy with other stuff.

    Though to be fair, FB has enough money to throw at a problem that it shouldn't be a real issue.

  7. Re:Malicious? by cervesaebraciator · · Score: 5, Insightful
    From Facebook's perspective, FTFY:

    They don't want you to able to access their stuff if you're not on Facebook.

  8. Re:Some whine with that cheese? by LMariachi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    By your logic, you couldn’t complain if I offered you a ride to the airport and then kicked you out of the car on the side of the freeway halfway there.

  9. Re:I would ahve got a frosty by larry+bagina · · Score: 5, Insightful

    good point. Where is the link on slashdot to download all my comments?

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