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by _cipher_ 4082 days ago
Is this only about facebook tracking users via the like buttons on websites?

If so, I'm expecting the same reaction in the future about google analytics.

From the other hand, {facebook,google,random company} did not force someone to put the appropriate {buttons,code} in their site. Me thinks there's going to be some kind of settlement without too much fuss and they'll keep doing business as usual for an even more sucky web.
2 comments
tuacker 4082 days ago
They/Schrems have been at it for a while now. They initially tried to go through the Irish DPC (Data Protection Commissioner)[1] but that wasn't very fruitful. In 2013 they issued complaints in 3 different countries. Again no outcome[2] (see 'reactions'). Now they're at this lawsuit[3] regarding the following violations:

   - Data use policy which is invalid under EU law
   - The absence of effective consent to many types of data use
   - Support of the NSA’s ‘PRISM’ surveillance programme
   - Tracking of Internet users on external websites (e.g. through ‘Like buttons’)
   - Monitoring and analysis of users through ‘big data’ systems
   - Unlawful introduction of ‘Graph Search’
   - Unauthorised passing on of user data to external applications
Some more information about the suit can be found here https://www.fbclaim.com/ui/page/faqs

[1] http://www.europe-v-facebook.org/EN/Complaints/complaints.ht...

[2] http://www.europe-v-facebook.org/EN/Complaints/PRISM/prism.h...

[3] http://www.europe-v-facebook.org/EN/Complaints/Class_Action/...

link
a1a 4082 days ago
>>If so, I'm expecting the same reaction in the future about google analytics.

1) Google analytics is a service for tracking your visitors behavior.

2) Facebook like button is a like button.

You would be surprised if the "like button" silently tracked your visitors behavior -- just as you would be surprised if the "analytics script" silently liked googles own facebook page.

>>From the other hand, {facebook,google,random company} did not force someone to put the appropriate {buttons,code} in their site.

They are not getting sued for forcing someone. They are getting sued for adding unwanted/unadvertised functionality that undermines the right to privacy into their service.

link