Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg told a live audience yesterday that if he were to create Facebook again today, user information would by default be public, not private as it was for years until the company changed dramatically in December.
In a six-minute interview on stage with TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington, Zuckerberg spent 60 seconds talking about Facebook's privacy policies. His statements were of major importance for the world's largest social network - and his arguments in favor of an about-face on privacy deserve close scrutiny.
Zuckerberg offered roughly 8 sentences in response to Arrington's question about where privacy was going on Facebook and around the web. The question was referencing the changes Facebook underwent last month. Your name, profile picture, gender, current city, networks, Friends List, and all the pages you subscribe to are now publicly available information on Facebook. This means everyone on the web can see it; it is searchable. I'll post Zuckerberg's sentences on their own first, then follow up with the questions they raise in my mind. You can also watch the video below, the privacy part we transcribe is from 3:00 to 4:00.
See also: Why Facebook is Wrong: Privacy is Still Important
Zuckerberg:
"When I got started in my dorm room at Harvard, the question a lot of people asked was 'why would I want to put any information on the Internet at all? Why would I want to have a website?'
"And then in the last 5 or 6 years, blogging has taken off in a huge way and all these different services that have people sharing all this information. People have really gotten comfortable not only sharing more information and different kinds, but more openly and with more people. That social norm is just something that has evolved over time.
"We view it as our role in the system to constantly be innovating and be updating what our system is to reflect what the current social norms are.
"A lot of companies would be trapped by the conventions and their legacies of what they've built, doing a privacy change - doing a privacy change for 350 million users is not the kind of thing that a lot of companies would do. But we viewed that as a really important thing, to always keep a beginner's mind and what would we do if we were starting the company now and we decided that these would be the social norms now and we just went for it."
That's Not a Believable Explanation
This is a radical change from the way that Zuckerberg pounded on the importance of user privacy for years. That your information would only be visible to the people you accept as friends was fundamental to the DNA of the social network that hundreds of millions of people have joined over these past few years. Privacy control, he told me less than 2 years ago, is "the vector around which Facebook operates."
I don't buy Zuckerberg's argument that Facebook is now only reflecting the changes that society is undergoing. I think Facebook itself is a major agent of social change and by acting otherwise Zuckerberg is being arrogant and condescending.
Perhaps the new privacy controls will prove sufficient. Perhaps Facebook's pushing our culture away from privacy will end up being a good thing. The way the company is going about it makes me very uncomfortable, though, and some of the changes are clearly bad. It is clearly bad to no longer allow people to keep the pages they subscribe to private on Facebook.
This major reversal, backed-up by superficial explanations, makes me wonder if Facebook's changing philosophies about privacy are just convenient stories to tell while the company shifts its strategy to exert control over the future of the web.
Facebook's Different Stories
First the company kept user data siloed inside its site alone, saying that a high degree of user privacy would make users comfortable enough to share more information with a smaller number of trusted people.
Now that it has 350 million people signed up and connected to their friends and family in a way they never have been before - now Facebook decides that the initial, privacy-centric, contract with users is out of date. That users actually want to share openly, with the world at large, and incidentally (as Facebook's Director of Public Policy Barry Schnitt told us in December) that it's time for increased pageviews and advertising revenue, too.
The Flimsy Evidence
What makes Facebook think the world is becoming more public and less private? Zuckerberg cites the rise of blogging "and all these different services that have people sharing all this information." That last part must mean Twitter, right? But blogging is tiny compared to Facebook! It's made a big impact on the world, but only because it perhaps doubled or tripled the small percentage of people online who publish long-form text content. Not very many people write blogs, almost everyone is on Facebook.
Facebook's Barry Schnitt told us last month that he too believes the world is becoming more open and his evidence is Twitter, MySpace, comments posted to newspaper websites and the rise of Reality TV.
But Facebook is bigger and is growing much faster than all of those other things. Do they really expect us to believe that the popularity of reality TV is evidence that users want their Facebook friends lists and fan pages made permanently public? Why cite those kinds phenomena as evidence that the red hot social network needs to change its ways?
The company's justifications of the claim that they are reflecting broader social trends just aren't credible. A much more believable explanation is that Facebook wants user information to be made public and so they "just went for it," to use Zuckerberg's words from yesterday.
(Why didn't Arrington press Zuckerberg on stage about this? The rise of blogging is evidence that Facebook needs to change its fundamental stance on privacy?)
This is Very Important
Facebook allows everyday people to share the minutiae of their daily lives with trusted friends and family, to easily distribute photos and videos - if you use it regularly you know how it has made a very real impact on families and social groups that used to communicate very infrequently. Accessible social networking technology changes communication between people in a way similar to if not as intensely as the introduction of the telephone and the printing press. It changes the fabric of peoples' lives together. 350 million people signed up for Facebook under the belief their information could be shared just between trusted friends. Now the company says that's old news, that people are changing. I don't believe it.
I think Facebook is just saying that because that's what it wants to be true.
Whether less privacy is good or bad is another matter, the change of the contract with users based on feigned concern for users' desires is offensive and makes any further moves by Facebook suspect.
See also: Why Facebook is Wrong: Privacy is Still Important
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See Also
* The Facebook Phone: Five Theories About What It Could Mean
* The Best Social Network You've Never Heard of Gets Bought Out
* Native Apps Account for Half of Mobile Internet Traffic
* Several Hundred Thousand Germans Opt Out of Google Street View
* Cartoon: The Only Constant
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Captain Piccard's Solar Impulse completes first full test flight, nears another frontier (video)
We've tracked this solar-powered tub from its announcement last year, through its first runway tests, past the little hop that counted as its first flight, and now we've arrived at the HB-SIA's first legitimate test flight. The Solar Impulse, brainchild of one Bertrand Piccard, took the upward plunge into the skies yesterday, successfully rising to 5,500 feet and a speed of 30 knots before gliding down gently and calling the whole thing an unqualified success. You can find video of the event after the break. A nighttime test flight is planned for later this year, after which a bulkier production model will be cobbled together with the intent of reaching the final goal of circumnavigating the globe by 2012.
Primetime Emmy Awards
The Primetime Emmy® Awards salute excellence in national primetime programming, presenting top honors at the annual Creative Arts gala and Primetime Awards telecast. A number of special awards, like the Governors Award and Bob Hope Humanitarian Award (more on those below), may be bestowed during these ceremonies as well.
The first Emmy® Awards ceremony was held on January 25, 1949, at the Hollywood Athletic Club, and was devoted solely to programming that originated from Los Angeles, where the Television Academy was founded. Over time, the Emmys expanded to include programming aired throughout the United States.
Today, the Primetime Emmy® is a symbol of peer recognition from over 15,000 Television Academy members. Members from more than two-dozen peer groups vote for the category of competition in their field of expertise.
2010 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
2009 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
2008 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
2007 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
2006 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
Special Honors
In addition to the many categories of Primetime Emmy Awards presented to programs and individuals for production and performance excellence, some very prestigious special honors, such as the Governors Award, are bestowed during the Primetime Emmys.
The Governors Award
The Television Academy Board of Governors bestows its esteemed Governors Award upon individuals, companies or organizations who have made a substantial impact and demonstrated the extraordinary use of television.
The Board's presented recent Governors Award recipient Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films, with her award during the 2009 Creative Arts Emmy® Awards gala.
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
The Television Academy Board of Governors established the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2002, as a tribute to the the iconic career and life of Bob Hope. This high honor is a nod to the Hope's more than fifty years of pioneering contributions to the radio and television industries, both as family mediums and as platforms for sociopolitical commentary.
The special Hope Humanitarian honor is not bound to be given annually with the traditional categories of Emmys, only as deemed fitting and approved by the Hope Humanitarian Award selection committee (composed of Academy members) and a representative of the Bob and Dolores Hope Charitable Foundation. Since its establishment, three honorees — Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Danny Thomas (presented posthumously, accepted by his daughter, actress Marlo Thomas) — have received the Hope Award.
The Syd Cassyd Founders Award
The Syd Cassyd Founders Award — named in honor of the Television Academy’s founder — was created to recognize members who have made a significant positive impact on the Academy through their efforts and service over many years of involvement.
Like the Hope Award, the Syd Cassyd Founders Award is not bound to be given annually with the traditional categories of Emmys. The Cassyd honor was bestowed for only the time ninth ever, in 2009 to longtime Television Academy attorney and advisor Dixon Q. Dern.
The first Emmy® Awards ceremony was held on January 25, 1949, at the Hollywood Athletic Club, and was devoted solely to programming that originated from Los Angeles, where the Television Academy was founded. Over time, the Emmys expanded to include programming aired throughout the United States.
Today, the Primetime Emmy® is a symbol of peer recognition from over 15,000 Television Academy members. Members from more than two-dozen peer groups vote for the category of competition in their field of expertise.
2010 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
2009 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
2008 Primetime Emmy AwardsMore
2007 Primetime Emmy Awards
More
More
Special Honors
In addition to the many categories of Primetime Emmy Awards presented to programs and individuals for production and performance excellence, some very prestigious special honors, such as the Governors Award, are bestowed during the Primetime Emmys.
The Governors Award
The Television Academy Board of Governors bestows its esteemed Governors Award upon individuals, companies or organizations who have made a substantial impact and demonstrated the extraordinary use of television.
The Board's presented recent Governors Award recipient Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films, with her award during the 2009 Creative Arts Emmy® Awards gala.
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
The Television Academy Board of Governors established the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2002, as a tribute to the the iconic career and life of Bob Hope. This high honor is a nod to the Hope's more than fifty years of pioneering contributions to the radio and television industries, both as family mediums and as platforms for sociopolitical commentary.
The special Hope Humanitarian honor is not bound to be given annually with the traditional categories of Emmys, only as deemed fitting and approved by the Hope Humanitarian Award selection committee (composed of Academy members) and a representative of the Bob and Dolores Hope Charitable Foundation. Since its establishment, three honorees — Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby and Danny Thomas (presented posthumously, accepted by his daughter, actress Marlo Thomas) — have received the Hope Award.
The Syd Cassyd Founders Award
The Syd Cassyd Founders Award — named in honor of the Television Academy’s founder — was created to recognize members who have made a significant positive impact on the Academy through their efforts and service over many years of involvement.
Like the Hope Award, the Syd Cassyd Founders Award is not bound to be given annually with the traditional categories of Emmys. The Cassyd honor was bestowed for only the time ninth ever, in 2009 to longtime Television Academy attorney and advisor Dixon Q. Dern.
A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation
The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between east and west. Protests in Hungary against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956; while the following year, 1957, the Soviet Union takes the lead in the space race, when it launches the first man-made space satellite, Sputnik 1. Also in 1957, the Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘Common Market’.
Read more about the decade 1945 -1959 Fall of Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany.
(Video: 481 Kb - 17 s)
The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall
The Polish trade union, Solidarność, and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names across Europe and the world following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the EU and Spain and Portugal follow five years later. In 1987 the Single European Act is signed. This is a treaty which provides the basis for a vast six-year programme aimed at sorting out the problems with the free-flow of trade across EU borders and thus creates the ‘Single Market’. There is major political upheaval when, on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between East and West Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years, this leads to the reunification of Germany when both East and West Germany are united in October 1990.
Read more about the decade 1980 -1989
The ‘Swinging Sixties’ – a period of economic growth
The 1960s sees the emergence of 'youth culture’, with groups such as The Beatles attracting huge crowds of teenage fans wherever they appear, helping to stimulate a cultural revolution and widening the generation gap. It is a good period for the economy, helped by the fact that EU countries stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. They also agree joint control over food production, so that everybody now has enough to eat - and soon there is even surplus agricultural produce. May 1968 becomes famous for student riots in Paris, and many changes in society and behaviour become associated with the so-called ‘68 generation’.
Read more about the decade 1960 -1969
A growing Community – the first Enlargement
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member states to nine. The short, yet brutal, Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 result in an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. The last right-wing dictatorships in Europe come to an end with the overthrow of the Salazar regime in Portugal in 1974 and the death of General Franco of Spain in 1975. The EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The European Parliament increases its influence in EU affairs and in 1979 all citizens can, for the first time, elect their members directly.
Read more about the decade 1970 -1979
A Europe without frontiers
With the collapse of communism across central and eastern Europe, Europeans become closer neighbours. In 1993 the Single Market is completed with the the 'four freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and money. The 1990s is also the decade of two treaties, the ‘Maastricht’ Treaty on European Union in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are concerned about how to protect the environment and also how Europeans can act together when it comes to security and defence matters. In 1995 the EU gains three more new members, Austria, Finland and Sweden. A small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the ‘Schengen’ agreements that gradually allow people to travel without having their passports checked at the borders. Millions of young people study in other countries with EU support. Communication is made easier as more and more people start using mobile phones and the internet.
Read more about the decade 1990 -1999
Read more about the decade 1945 -1959 Fall of Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany.
(Video: 481 Kb - 17 s)
The changing face of Europe - the fall of the Berlin Wall
The Polish trade union, Solidarność, and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names across Europe and the world following the Gdansk shipyard strikes in the summer of 1980. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of the EU and Spain and Portugal follow five years later. In 1987 the Single European Act is signed. This is a treaty which provides the basis for a vast six-year programme aimed at sorting out the problems with the free-flow of trade across EU borders and thus creates the ‘Single Market’. There is major political upheaval when, on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between East and West Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years, this leads to the reunification of Germany when both East and West Germany are united in October 1990.
Read more about the decade 1980 -1989
The 1960s sees the emergence of 'youth culture’, with groups such as The Beatles attracting huge crowds of teenage fans wherever they appear, helping to stimulate a cultural revolution and widening the generation gap. It is a good period for the economy, helped by the fact that EU countries stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. They also agree joint control over food production, so that everybody now has enough to eat - and soon there is even surplus agricultural produce. May 1968 becomes famous for student riots in Paris, and many changes in society and behaviour become associated with the so-called ‘68 generation’.
Read more about the decade 1960 -1969
A growing Community – the first Enlargement
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of member states to nine. The short, yet brutal, Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 result in an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. The last right-wing dictatorships in Europe come to an end with the overthrow of the Salazar regime in Portugal in 1974 and the death of General Franco of Spain in 1975. The EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The European Parliament increases its influence in EU affairs and in 1979 all citizens can, for the first time, elect their members directly.
Read more about the decade 1970 -1979
With the collapse of communism across central and eastern Europe, Europeans become closer neighbours. In 1993 the Single Market is completed with the the 'four freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and money. The 1990s is also the decade of two treaties, the ‘Maastricht’ Treaty on European Union in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. People are concerned about how to protect the environment and also how Europeans can act together when it comes to security and defence matters. In 1995 the EU gains three more new members, Austria, Finland and Sweden. A small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the ‘Schengen’ agreements that gradually allow people to travel without having their passports checked at the borders. Millions of young people study in other countries with EU support. Communication is made easier as more and more people start using mobile phones and the internet.
Read more about the decade 1990 -1999
A decade of further expansion
The euro is the new currency for many Europeans. 11 September 2001 becomes synonymous with the 'War on Terror' after hijacked airliners are flown into buildings in New York and Washington. EU countries begin to work much more closely together to fight crime. The political divisions between east and west Europe are finally declared healed when no fewer than 10 new countries join the EU in 2004. Many people think that it is time for Europe to have a constitution but what sort of constitution is by no means easy to agree, so the debate on the future of Europe rages on.
Consolation prize for Germany, Uruguay
Football | FIFA World CupTM
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08/07/2010, 11:36
Two-time winners Uruguay and three-time champions Germany will clash on Saturday in a match that neither side wanted to be contesting - the play-off to decide third place.
Both coaches, Oscar Tabarez of Uruguay and Germany's Joachim Loew will have a job on their hands to rouse their players for one last effort after losing their semifinals to the Netherlands and Spain respectively.
The Uruguayans have an advantage in that they will have had an extra day to absorb their disappointment and 63-year-old Tabarez is known to be a shrewd motivator of men.
He has already been firm in his resolve, following the 3-2 defeat by the Dutch, that they will put aside the loss and aim to finish third, going one better than their performance in 1970.
"To use a term that is common in the team -- we have to bury this match and get over our sorrow," said Tabarez, in his second spell in charge, having guided Uruguay to the last 16 in 1990.
"We must give a good image like the one we delivered against the Netherlands on the pitch, to show people in football that Uruguay wants to play at an equal level with others.
"We want to show that this is a team with pride, despite our limitations, and this third-place play-off match is important for this reason."
He will definitely have Ajax hitman Luis Suarez back after he served his one match suspension for being sent off for punching the ball off the line in the quarterfinal against Ghana.
That will counter-balance the possibility of inspirational strike partner Diego Forlan missing the match through injury.
The 31-year-old Atletico Madrid star -- scorer of four goals in the finals -- carried the unspecified injury throughout the loss to the Dutch but Tabarez is confident he can play some sort of role in the match.
Unlike the South Americans, Germany will feel third or fourth place is a poor consolation for the chance of a fourth title.
The out-of-contract Loew, though, will want his side to bow out of this tournament on a high, not least because it could be his last match in charge of a team that he has effectively shaped.
"The players are devastated but I would still like to congratulate them on the way they played throughout the tournament," said Loew following the Spanish reverse.
"We have to try and wake them up tomorrow (Thursday) because we still have another match -- the third place play-off against Uruguay -- to play."
For one German player too there remains the possibility of leaving his permanent mark on the World Cup.
Miroslav Klose, who is unlikely to be part of the next squad in 2014 when he will be 36, needs two goals against Uruguay to pass Brazil's Ronaldo as the all-time World Cup leading goalscorer. He has already bagged 14 in three World Cups.
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