Why Facebook Creeps Me Out Sometimes

Facebook is my favorite social media platform. I have had an account since I was in college, back when you needed a school email address to sign up. Since then, Facebook has had a few advertising blunders, but bless its heart, it’s still trying.

Changes–

Friends’ profile pictures show up when I call from my cell phone, and now, it’s syncing with my Pandora stations. Apparently my friends and I have similar taste in music…or at least that is what Pandora/ Facebook tells me. With each new song, I get a note saying “So and So likes this song/ artist too.” Pandora is great because it’s personalized, but what do they get out of telling me what songs my friends like too? Is my music going to be further personalized based on the music I have listed on my profile?

Facebook believes in opt-out changes, which goes against the opt-in standard. They continue to integrate their platform, which granted is a marketing gold mine. But without getting permission first, they perpetuate the user perception that privacy is being invaded. Yes, we post pictures. Yes, we note our likes and dislikes and engage with brands. This is worlds a part from granting permission to have online user behavior tracked across multiple platforms and packaged for advertisers.