Facebook Rooms: 5 Privacy Facts - InformationWeek

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10/25/2014
08:06 AM
Kristin Burnham
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16 comments
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Facebook Rooms: 5 Privacy Facts

Facebook's new Rooms app lets you post pictures, videos, and messages anonymously. Here's a look at the data it collects, the privacy of your posts, and more.

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asksqn
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50%
asksqn,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/25/2014 | 1:05:29 PM
Same old
Rooms is being touted as "anonymous" when in fact, it is not because anything you post is visible to the public?  LOL sounds like standard operating procedure doublespeak from Facebook -market the appropriate buzzword but the reality is quite the opposite.  
PaulS681
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PaulS681,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/25/2014 | 3:53:43 PM
Re: Same old
Your best to assume facebook will use the data it collects any way it wants to regardless of what they tell you.
Ariella
50%
50%
Ariella,
 User Rank: Author
10/26/2014 | 11:30:39 AM
Re: Same old
@Paul I'm sure you're right.
nomii
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nomii,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/26/2014 | 12:27:43 PM
Re: Same old
@Paul681 very true and very concisely put. It basically means that old habbit die hard and FB manipulating the info and convincing the public with lame excuses. I believe that the public is getting the sense of it and are now more aware than few years back  :).
PedroGonzales
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50%
PedroGonzales,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/26/2014 | 3:13:40 PM
Re: Same old
I think the reality is much worse than they are advertising.  Your information is never deleted, others can see what you post, and Facebook can use whatever you posted however they want to.  The old chat room seems much better to me.
Ariella
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50%
Ariella,
 User Rank: Author
10/26/2014 | 6:02:15 PM
Re: Same old
@PedroGonzales if your information can never be deleted, I wonder how that can be in compliance with the EU's data guidelines. They include "the right of erasure."                                       
saliknaqi
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saliknaqi,
 User Rank: Apprentice
10/26/2014 | 7:00:56 AM
It dosen't connect to facebook!
The fact that it dosen't connect to Facebook will be appreciated by a lot of users. Now people wont have to overcrowd there friends feed with things not of there intrest. And people can use forums on there phones now.
H@mmy
100%
0%
[email protected],
 User Rank: Ninja
10/26/2014 | 9:38:09 AM
Nice
Good to see Facebook is doing something other than Facebook too. Slingshot, Paper and now rooms seems interesting. Gladly Room is not connected with Facebook, which makes things simpler. 
progman2000
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progman2000,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/26/2014 | 10:04:53 AM
Re: Nice
I don't know, I fail to see the big deal here - sounds like an open forum for trolling to me, aren't there already a million such forums on the internet that are specifically interest focused?
nomii
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50%
nomii,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/26/2014 | 12:33:29 PM
Re: Nice
@Progman true. I think its basically try to convince people that what FB is doing is better than what  is already available in the market. I fail to understand the real essance of such forums where you can remain anonymous and share your thoughts. Are we not already having these sites as you already mentioned.
Kristin Burnham
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Kristin Burnham,
 User Rank: Author
10/26/2014 | 5:09:18 PM
Re: Nice
@Hammy Of those three examples, I still think Paper is the best one put out by Facebook thus far.
progman2000
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50%
progman2000,
 User Rank: Ninja
10/27/2014 | 10:27:55 AM
Re: Nice
Have not actively looked into any of these guys yet but I will check out Paper on your recommendation!
Kristin Burnham
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Kristin Burnham,
 User Rank: Author
10/26/2014 | 5:13:22 PM
Confusing
The big problem here is the UI. Rooms is not intuitive to use, especially with the screenshots of QR codes it requires to join a room. Has anyone else given this app a shot? Let's hear your thoughts.
H@mmy
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50%
[email protected],
 User Rank: Ninja
10/26/2014 | 5:22:49 PM
Re: Confusing
@Kristin your comment made me go through reviews of 'Rooms'. The first review I read is complaining about the UI. It just makes me curious to know whats the use of QR code there. Please share your reviews about it, if any one has used the app. I hope Kristin can write another blog on this.
Kristin Burnham
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50%
Kristin Burnham,
 User Rank: Author
10/27/2014 | 10:21:39 AM
Re: Confusing
QR codes in Rooms are used as invites. For example, if you start a room that's invite-only, you share the QR code with people you want to join it, which gives them access. Unfortunately, QR codes are necessary for open rooms, too -- regardless of what you join, you need to either a) scan the QR code from an outside source, or b) take a screenshot of the QR code within the app, then move through a series of steps for the app to recognize it and allow you in. 

I'm not sure why Facebook chose to use QR codes over a string of numbers or letters, but it's a hassle. I imagine many people will give up before they even get to join a room and see what the fuss is about. 
ted90
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ted90,
 User Rank: Strategist
9/25/2017 | 5:31:25 AM
Re: 192.168.1.1
I've been looking for this information for a long time, I'm happy to join your community!
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