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As we said it would, Google has struck back in the recent war it started against Facebook over contact data. Now, when you try to export your contacts to Facebook, Google gives you a big warning that calls Facebook a trap, in attempt to convince you not to take your contacts to the social network.
Last week, Google banned Facebook from accessing Gmail contact data by tweaking its the Terms of Service for its Google Contacts Data API so that websites which access Google Contacts will need to offer access to their data too. Facebook has never allowed users to export their contact information, but it still wants its new users to find out whether their Gmail contacts also have Facebook accounts, so earlier this week it implemented a workaround. The world's biggest social network now tells new users to use a Google feature that helps them download their own data, and then instructs them to upload the file back to Facebook. Now, Google is showing the following message when new Facebook users come to export their contact data from Gmail:
The warning can be viewed by anyone on this page (via ReadWriteWeb). If you can't see the image above or navigate to the link, we've pasted the corresponding text below:
| quote: Hold on a second. Are you super sure you want to import your contact information for your friends into a service that won't let you get it out? Here's the not-so-fine print. You have been directed to this page from a site that doesn't allow you to re-export your data to other services, essentially locking up your contact data about your friends. So once you import your data there, you won't be able to get it out. We think this is an important thing for you to know before you import your data there. Although we strongly disagree with this data protectionism, the choice is yours. Because, after all, you should have control over your data. Of course, you are always free to download your contacts using the export feature in Google Contacts. This public service announcement is brought to you on behalf of your friends in Google Contacts. [__] Register a complaint over data protectionism. (Google will not record or display your name or email address.) [__] Proceed with exporting this data. I recognize that once it's been imported to another service, that service may not allow me to export it back out. Select one or more options. Cancel and go back |
User Comments: 58
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Puiu said:
It's kind of interesting that they never used the name FaceBook on that "not so fine print". i'm sure that many people will actually stop just because it's too annoying to read it all and some might actually think that google is protecting them from one major scam. (i do consider FB unsafe to actually put some important information there).
PS: i'm hoping that this social network fever will actually cool down soon.
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puiu said:
It's kind of interesting that they never used the name FaceBook on that "not so fine print". i'm sure that many people will actually stop just because it's too annoying to read it all and some might actually think that google is protecting them from one major scam.
Well, at least it's entertaining to read so that will likely keep some people's attention. Better than most of the e-jargon that people have to sift through.
PS: i'm hoping that this social network fever will actually cool down soon.With efforts like Google's here, and increasing concerns over privacy, and 'cyber-bullying,' I think people are taking second looks about their online interactions. Chances are things will cool down as people, watchdog groups and governments begin to demand even more stringent policies of social networking websites.
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Lmao...
Nothing else to say.
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Between these 2 companies, I'd rather choose Google over Facebook. Im using gmail and no privacy issues i have encounter. they have the reputation and they are the leader in the internet world. I dont have facebook, just for one reason, it is the source of greed in this world. every user of facebook are self promotional.
Many lives were broken apart or loss because of facebook. Now folks do you agree with me?
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Recipe7 said:
Facebook is a trap... it traps your time and it will not give it back to you. Timetrap, that's what I'll call it.
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That's a very aggressive move by google. It certainly makes it seem very dangerous to do, especially for the standard facebook user who would just see this warning and get spooked.
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This is uncommon for large corporations like these. What's next "facebook will announce that google is a scam and virus". This is stupid! They should talk more often to their advisors on the subject "Behavior"
:P
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The info in the agreement are fact. We all know that facebook uses our info as they see fit.
So, whats wrong in pointing it out?
And besides, usually, when the giants fight, the customers come out at the top in the end.
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I post on Facebook the information that i wouldn't care anyone to know...If you put something that would destroy your family than it's a lesson for you...I love FB because it became so popular that i don't need to sign in to multiple messengers to find out what's everyone up to and post what's up with me to every friends of mine. I did started to receive scam emails that says that presumable coming from my facebook friends, but it's kind of rare about 3 times a week. I can leave with that
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Leeky said:
Too many people don't realise how much information on individuals Facebook harvests. Worse still, it seems that the vast majority of its members are blissfully unaware of this as well!
This time I support Google fully.
Have you considered how much information is 'extracted / harvested' by search engines in general from your search habits (along side information about user as well)? I don't see facebook any different in this regard, for me all these are one face of the same coin. Hence to make it simple, this fight isn't about 'user rights' it is about 'control', period.
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I will give Facebook my Gmail data, in exchange for a few thousand shares of their IPO...whenever that may be.
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This is small battle but Google just feels it should be a two way street and I agree. That or no transfer of contacts at all. I would rather there not be any transfers allowed simply because Facebook could already have your Google contacts and you don't even know it. Far fetched? Think again.
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Darth Shiv said:
compu4 said:LMFAO! The Admiral Ackbar picture is priceless.
Yeap! Ackbar ftw!
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Have you considered how much information is 'extracted / harvested' by search engines in general from your search habits (along side information about user as well)? I don't see facebook any different in this regard, for me all these are one face of the same coin. Hence to make it simple, this fight isn't about 'user rights' it is about 'control', period.
I didn't actually, but is it as personally identifiable as your real personal information contained on a social networking site like Facebook?
Sure google could harvest my search routines (and maybe even admire my porn searches!), and see websites I visit, but they aren't getting my personal information like DOB, my address, phone numbers, mobile (cell) numbers, information about my traits, like stuff I like, or dislike, and countless other pieces of information that come in very handy for marketing campaigns, and usable information to not only identify me, but find out everything about me.
Or am I wrong? I'm keen to know more about what sort of information search engines like google keep if you know...
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Nice one Google! Facebook expect to take but not give! It's not fair to take stuff from Google but not allow Google to take the same type of information from them. Hopefully this will make Facebook allow the export of Friends to Gmail.
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I have to say I'll join to the love to google, besides some casual games facebook is dead for me
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Google is right! Facebook is getting too powerful. I'd rather give it to Google.
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gO GOG GOOGLEE bite them hard!!, to see if they stop playing with everybody data!
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treetops said:
When some a hole calls you to take a survey thank facebook
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stewi0001 said:
ok so when is one of them gonna own the other? XD
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AnonymousSurfer said:
HAHA! That's funny...
If you think of it, there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of cyber-wars going on everyday.
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Google just slapped Facebook.
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"When some a hole calls you to take a survey thank facebook"
You think people doing surveys are aholes? How do you think governments find out what's going on it the country they are supposed to govern? You want them to guess? You don't think that might mean they end up doing an even worse job than they already do?
Anyway, most research companies use Random Digit Dial; they don't get details from from a third party, because that mucks up the demographics. Polling companies need RANDOM sample if they are going to produce accurate statistics.
No, next time some ahole program generates an internet ad that seems to have a disconcerting amount of info about you, THAT is when you want to be blaming facebook.
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windmill007 said:
Google is starting to sound like a bunch of cry babies. I wish they would just embrace facebook. Google can't rule everything and we would have much better Google services if it integrated into facebook.
Google isn't a cry baby, Facebook is actually pretty small compared to Google in terms of net worth, assets, subscribers, or whatever else you want to compare it with. They are pissed off because Facebook won't share information which Google has been sharing with them freely. In short Facebook should learn how to share or else big daddy will get pissed off.
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You have to love Google.
"Although we strongly disagree with this data protectionism, the choice is yours. Because, after all, you should have control over your data. " That is simply fantastic. At least they aren't going against their principles and refusing to let you move the data. That takes REAL integrity folks.
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