We all want to believe that there are special coupons out there just waiting to be grabbed, and the newest questionable offer to take hold of Facebook newsfeeds involves the false promise of a coupon that will magically grant you 50% off anything at Target. [More]
Data & Privacy
Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Facebook Testing Self-Destructing Messages
By 11.13.15
Facebook is reportedly trying a totally new, completely novel, never-before-seen kind of message — oh, hang on a second, Snapchat has been doing self-destructing photos and videos for a while now. But anyway, Facebook apparently wants to do that kind of thing, too. [More]
Facebook Bringing 360-Degree Video To iOS Newsfeeds
By 11.12.15
While we once wondered why Facebook would spend $2 billion to buy virtual reality company Oculus, we’re starting to get answers. Two months after Facebook said it was working to bring virtual reality to consumers’ phones via newsfeed ads, the social media company unveiled an iOS version. [More]
Coming Soon: Facebook Will Ask If You’re Really, Really Sure You Want To Upload That Photo From Last Night
By 11.12.15
In the early stages of a Sunday morning hangover, your bleary eyes and the residual alcohol in your system might make you think you looked really good in that photo from last night, but Facebook’s artificial intelligence knows better: the social media behemoth is working on technology that will warn users when they’re about to upload photos they shouldn’t. [More]
Cox Receives $595K Slap On Wrist For Failing To Prevent Data Breach
By 11.5.15
In Aug. 2014, a hacker used a clever bit of social engineering to talk his way into accessing the personal information for an unknown number of Cox cable, Internet, and phone customers. For its failure to shield its system from this sort of outside invasion, the pay-TV company has agreed to pay $595,000 to the FCC. [More]
Former Ashley Madison Customer Sues Site Over “Army Of Fembots” With Fake Profiles
By 11.2.15
After hackers dumped a plethora of personal information about Ashley Madison’s 37 million subscribers online in August, the public has learned a lot about the dating site aimed at cheaters. Among the reported revelations: only about 15% of its users are women, contrary to the site’s marketing claims, a new lawsuit says. Adding insult to injury? The army of fembots scattered through the sites with fake profiles written by employees. [More]
Facebook Tweaking “Real Name” Policy To Make It Easier For Users To Verify That They Are Who They Claim To Be
By 10.30.15
If you’ve ever tried to insist to Facebook that you really do go by the name Her Magnificence The Empress Of Catland and been frustrated at your efforts, things are about to change: the company announced it’s tweaking its so-called “real name” policy to make it easier for users to verify that they really do answer to a name other than their legal one. [More]
Don’t Go To Chick-Fil-A On Friday Expecting Unlimited Nuggets For $13
By 10.29.15
Word has spread across the Internet of a truly glorious event coming up later this week: all you can eat chicken nuggets and waffle fries at Chick-Fil-A for four hours in the evening. People shared the ad on Facebook and adjusted their weekend plans accordingly, but failed to notice one important detail: the promotion is only at one location, in Florida. [More]
Facebook Wants To Kill Game Invites And The “Other Messages” Folder, Users Rejoice
By 10.28.15
We have good news and bad news when it comes to Facebook features. The social media platform is getting rid of two almost universally-disliked features: the “Other” inbox that hardly anyone used, and the ability to send your friends game invites that they probably don’t want. However, the replacement spam-filter could be more annoying than the existing solution. [More]
Privacy Advocates Concerned As Senate Approves Controversial Cybersecurity Bill
By 10.28.15
Despite previous failures, Congress just keeps on churning through bills that propose to enhance digital security at the cost of digital privacy. The latest in the series sailed through the Senate with wide approval this week, kicking off another wave of privacy concerns. [More]
Facebook Wins Dismissal Of $15 Billion Privacy Lawsuit
By 10.26.15
It’s been more than three years since a federal judge in California heard arguments in a large class-action lawsuit filed against Facebook over its questionable privacy practices. Finally, on Friday that judge sided with the social network and threw out the case — while leaving open the option for plaintiffs to revise and re-file their case. [More]
Facebook Updates Search Function; Now Is A Great Time To Run And Check All Your Privacy Settings
By 10.22.15
Facebook search is… well, kind of a joke. It can tell you which 400 people in your area have similar names to that one person you want to connect to but aren’t quite them, but it’s not great for finding that post you really, really wanted to dig up from last year with that article you half-remember. Until now. [More]
Facebook Will Now Alert You If You’re The Victim Of A Government-Sponsored Cyber Attack
By 10.19.15
Are you sick of those boring old Facebook notices for birthdays, group updates, event invites, and even the occasional “poke” from someone who still thinks it’s 2007? Maybe you need some international intrigue to liven up your day. Thankfully, Facebook will be there to let you know if your profile has been targeted by a government-sponsored cyber attack. [More]
Zoo And Museum Gift Shop Operator Confirms Details Of Payment Data Breach
By 10.15.15
Back in July, we shared the news that there was a possible payment data breach at numerous zoo and museum gift shops run by Service Systems Associates, a company that designs and runs cafeterias and gift shops for cultural institutions. The company has finally confirmed the breach and the dates that it happened: if you picked up a stuffed lion between March 24 and May 20 of this year, keep an eye on your credit card bills. [More]
Facebook Testing A Dedicated Shopping Feed That Features Retailers’ Posts About Sales
By 10.12.15
Facebook is continuing its effort to push users to shop within the confines of the social network, announcing today that it’s testing a dedicated shopping feed that will feature deals and sales from different retailers’ pages. [More]
Facebook Reveals New Set Of 6 Emoji “Reactions” To Go Along With The “Like” Button
By 10.8.15
At long last, Facebook has removed the veil from its highly anticipated “Dislike” button — only it’s not quite that simple. The social network revealed a set of six emojis to go along with the traditional thumbs-up: a heart for “love,” then emoticons for “Haha,” “Yay,” “Wow,” “Sad” and “Angry.” [More]
Court Overturns Conviction Of Landlord Who Threatened To Post Sex Tape On Facebook
By 10.6.15
If you go on Facebook and threaten to post a sex tape featuring a public official, is that a threat or is it free speech protected by the First Amendment? The highest court in Georgia has overturned the six-year prison sentence of a man who said he’d share raunchy footage of a court clerk, mostly because said sex tape didn’t exist. [More]
Crowdfunding Site Patreon Hacked, 15GB Of Donor Info Dumped Online
By 10.2.15
Patreon, a website that allows donors to give regularly to sites, artists, projects and other creators, yesterday evening that it’d been hit by a hack attack that accessed some registered names, email addresses and mailing addresses. And according to reports, 15GB of data was then dumped online, exposing information about donors and the projects they’ve funded. [More]
