[LINK] RFI: Intrusive Internet Mechanisms
Tom Koltai
tomk at unwired.com.au
Wed Dec 1 13:24:29 AEDT 2010
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roger Clarke [mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au]
> Sent: Tuesday, 30 November 2010 9:58 AM
> To: Tom Koltai
> Subject: Re: OFFLIST RE: [LINK] RFI: Intrusive Internet Mechanisms
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http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1717563
Facebook Tracks and Traces Everyone: Like this!
Arnold Roosendaal
TILT, Tilburg University
November 30, 2010
Abstract:
Numerous websites have implemented the Facebook Like button to let
Facebook members share their interests, therewith promoting websites or
news items. It is, thus, an important business tool for content
providers. However, this article shows that the tool is also used to
place cookies on the user's computer, regardless whether a user actually
uses the button when visiting a website. As an alternative business
model this allows Facebook to track and trace users and to process their
data. It appears that non-Facebook members can also be traced via the
Like button. This means that Facebook's tentacles reach far beyond their
own platform and members. Due to the extensive web coverage with Like
buttons, Facebook has a potential connection with all web users. Web
activity can be linked to individual accounts or a separate data set can
be created for individuals who are not (yet) a Facebook member. The
hidden collection of data on browsing behavior and the creation of
individual data sets has implications for the privacy of individuals.
This article discusses privacy issues arising from third party cookie
use and connectivity of web activity and devices, using the technical
process behind the Facebook Like button as an example.
Keywords: Facebook, Like button, Cookies, Profiling, privacy, Data
protection
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