Facebook Borks Blockbuster: Beacon Turns Into A Lawsuit (BBI)

Peter Kafka | April 17, 2008 12:13 PM

bork.jpgFacebook's users seem to have gotten over last year's Beacon controversy, and in retrospect it seems few of them cared in the first place. But one still does: She's suing Blockbuster (BBI) for participating in the marketing scheme, which was supposed to inform your friends when you bought something online. MediaPost:

In the lawsuit, quietly filed last week, Dallas County resident Cathryn Elaine Harris claims that Blockbuster violated the federal Videotape Privacy Protection Act by sharing information about her movie rentals and sales with Facebook without first obtaining her written consent.

Harris is seeking class-action status, and is asking for at least $2,500 for each violation of the statute, a 1988 law passed after a newspaper obtained the video rental records of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork.

poison ivy.jpgThis was the worst-case scenario that Beacon's critics immediately thought of when the program first rolled out last fall: That you'd rent, say, "Poison Ivy: The New Seduction" and your friends would be automatically informed, without your consent.

Our question, though: We never heard about this actually happening last year, and figure that if it had happened, it would have generated much more discussion at the time. Anyone recall having their Blockbuster choices distributed through Beacon, or learning about those of their pals?

See Also: Confirmed: Facebook Users Don't Care About Beacon, Never Did

Subscribe to SAI: RSS, email newsletter (no spam)

More:

Share:
Post to Del.icio.us


< Prev. Story
Next Story >

51 Comments

Dan Frommer said:
I saw some peoples' Fandango purchases and thought it was pretty weird.
Jordan said:
I get Mike Arrington's Blockbuster choices displayed on my news feed all the time.
Dorian (URL) said:
Yes, have seen them. Had to actively disable to keep mine from showing.
john said:
I was embarrassed when my friends were told about the 18" doubleheader.....
George said:
I'm not ashamed of my deluxe anal douche set, so I don't care who sees that I've bought it.
Vassago said:
This is so dumb... In order for this to happen (and it does) you have to put the application on your facebook page in the first place, and when you do so it gives you the option to tell people what you are renting. So it is her own stupid fault for not reading the fine print. Personally I could care less if people see the Z-rated horror flicks that I throw on my list. Hoebag just wants to make a quick buck... which she wont.
Roy said:
Vassago, you are completely incorrect.

You did not need to do any type of opting-in to get this behavior. Simply being logged *into* Facebook was enough for Beacon to push my Blockbuster rentals to my Facebook news feed. There was no "do you want to opt-in" email, there was no "do you agree to send information from one site to another" option ... it just happened one day.

The issue clearly here is that without opting-in, and without it being clear, BB was pushing all my rentals to my *public* Facebook profile - at no point during the whole process was there EVER an opt-in process.

The original blogger who pointed out that BB might be in violation of the VPPA: http://laboratorium.net/archive/2007/12/10/facebook_and_the_vppa_uhoh
Kristina said:
Roy's right - I try to avoid anything that broadcasts to a feed on Facebook, and I once made a purchase and had a pop up inform me that I had shared that purchase with all my friends!

I didn't realize it existed, and that I could get rid of it, until after it had already happened.
Sam said:
I remember reading about Facebook Beacon and immediately figuring how to block the Beacon from ever accessing my computer.

I know some of my friends didn't block it, and could see what they were renting on Blockbuster and online purchases and some other stuff.

Pretty soon after, Facebook realized that if they let it continue, lots more people would get mad, so they changed it so you had to opt-in to the program.

So like Roy said, Vassago is completely incorrect.

I think its funny how Facebook constantly adds new crap and then has to say "whoops we messed up, we'll try to fix this now"
Matt (URL) said:
I actually did have this happen. I was doing Blockbuster online and I like to rent B movies. Old crappy sci fi and stuff. They were not titled I was embarrased of, but I was not happy at all when I saw that they were showing up on facebook. The worst part was, I'm a pretty net savvy guy, and it took me a while to figure out where in the settings I could turn that feature off.
More Hip Than I Look said:
Blockbuster? Really? You still rent from Blockbuster? Were you able to press down hard enough on the keys to type out your application, or was the ribbon fresh?
joebob (URL) said:
Do you think the wide bush will ever make a comeback?
Kaijamal said:
This whole argument is crap. I've never had a problem with this and I have both Facebook and Myspace. You DO have to add in an application fo r this stuff, and in the process of going through your profile settings there are always opt-outs.

It most likely happened by adding any of the movie apps without looking carefully at them. The apps will sometimes add this "feature" in as well. This is a case of people asking companies to idiot-proof everything so they don't have to think or take responsibility for tehmselves. I don't sign a finance contract without reading every term, and I certainly don't join a web site without scrutinizing the terms, conditions, and all options available for security.

I hope they slam her down. This is the pixel equivalent to the "hot coffee" and "I'm fat" cases brought against the fast food insudstry. Things we all knew, and shouldn't have to be told.
geck0man said:
I had no idea that Blockbuster rented or sold adult films. The ones in my area (almost all of southern California) do not. Is there a difference from area to area?
Bob said:
You do realize that Blockbuster has an online rental service that (IMO) is arguably better than Netflix, don't you?
Doh said:
Kaijamal:

You won't like it when something is posted that 1) embarrasses you or 2) is incorrect and you get screwed for it (job/spouse/etc) or 3) helps a stalker. Oh, and it's there forever.

The fact that you take "opt-out" as the way things should be just takes the cake, or shows your age, depending on how you look at it. "opt-out" is the way of every scam, from magazines to bank "privacy" policies.

Everything should be required to be "opt-IN". If it is a feature that I actually desire, what are you afraid of? Some kid who hasn't been burned yet can opt into have their walgreens douche purchases broadcast to the world, but the rest of us can skip that.

And really, no one cares what you rent unless they don't like you (or your religion/political part/nationality/sex/age/pick one), and thats when it really matters.
Sundance 44 said:
I have a question. What is the attraction to Facebook and Myspace? All I ever read about those websites are problems they have caused the person who is dumb enough to post their personal information on them in the first place.
Sierra (URL) said:
I deleted my Facebook and MySpace accounts. They don't give a hoot about right or wrong. I read a lot about a site called Flugpo who advocates privacy. I joined and like it much better. Forget the other two IMO!
Barbie said:
So, do you have fun hanging out on Flugpo all by yourself?
David said:
Has anyone else noticed that all these lawsuits that most people would make a joke about, are coming from Texas. Remember the kids who sued Xbox live because of an outage? Texas. Remember the woman who sued a computer company (was it apple?) because the display only "recreated" millions of colors? Texas. Texas needs to work on it's character a bit.
David said:
Has anyone else noticed that all these lawsuits that most people would make a joke about, are coming from Texas. Remember the kids who sued Xbox live because of an outage? Texas. Remember the woman who sued a computer company (was it apple?) because the display only "recreated" millions of colors? Texas. Texas needs to work on it's character a bit.
david's judge and jury said:
Hi David. Just wanted to praise you on your intelligence and accuracy. "The kids" didn't sue "xbox live", they wanted credit because they were charged for the days that there was an outage.(8 days) Translate that into real money versus Xbox live credits. Probably more than you make in a month.

The "woman who sued a computer company (was it apple?" because the display only "recreated" millions of colors?"... CALIFORNIA. Two Professional photographers who lost thousands of dollars in advertising revenue because they were unwittingly committing trademark violations by not having accurate colors in their advertisements. NOT TEXAS..

Get clue x 4.
Have a nice day.
ビスです said:
wmv to mp4 converter can also help you put WMV files to your iPod, Zune, PSP these potable devices.
/mac dvd ripper can rip to various audio formats as well,and we got youtube video
converter.
wowgolds987 (URL) said:
Safe and Fast, Buy Cheap wow gold at MMOinn MMOinn.com is the largest and most professional trading platform for World of Warcraft gold. Trading is easy and safe here with satisfy guarantee! Buy cheap wow gold at The Most Securest Site on Net, MMOin Gives You Flexible and Safe Deal! Get A Ton of Cheap wow gold in 5 MINS Now! Buy wow gold - No Other Place than MMOinn You will see a big Windmill when you get closer to the wow gold Coast if you follow the mountain ridge.
rohan gold (URL) said:
There are several ways in which players can buy rohan gold and sell goods within the game, including a website specially designed for player to player transactions.
Jenifer said:
flv converter for mac supports set video output settings including resolution, frame rate, encoder, bit rate. Set audio output settings including sample rate, channel, encoder and bit rate.
buy vis (URL) said:
Underground to escape the city, forget to buy vis, Behind all of a sudden a while gunfire, Each recalls the beginning, always annoyed
selamler (URL) said:
sohbet chat sohbet chat çet sohbet chat özcan sarıca ile kurtlar vadisi pusu 3.sezon 1.seo yarışması aytug akdogan ödüllü 1. seo yarışması ve yurtta barış dünyada barış sesli chat sesli sohbet sesli görüntülü chat görüntülü sohbet kameralı sohbet kameralı chat bayan arkadaş görüntülü çet sesli muhabbet kızlarla sohbet kızlarla chat kameralı çet kameralı sohpet kızlarla çet chat gizli kamera güvenlik sistemleri kamera güvenlik kamerası cilt bakımı cilt bakım ürünleri ıslak mendil kolonyalı mendil kolonyalı mendil güvenlik kamerası gizli kamera kamera canlı sohbet sohpet sohbet sesli sesli chat sesli sohbet kameralı sohbet kameralı chat görüntülü chat görüntülü sohbet bayanlarla sohbet sesli muhabbet bayanlarla chat kızlarla sohbet bayan arkadaş görüntülü çet sesli çet sesli sohpet seslichat sesliçet kameralı sohpet kameralı çet kızlarla sohpet kızlarla çet sesli sohbet sesli sohbet sesli sohbet sesli chat sesli chat chat çet ek iş ek gelir mirc avşa adası avşa avşa adası avşa tatil tatil köyleri "Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr" Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr "Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr" "Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr" Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr özcan sarıca ile kurtlar vadisi pusu 3.sezon 1.seo yarışması özcan sarıca ile kurtlar vadisi pusu 3.sezon 1.seo yarışması aytug akdogan ödüllü 1. seo yarışması ve yurtta barış dünyada barış aytug akdogan ödüllü 1. seo yarışması ve yurtta barış dünyada barış "adtech ile reklam 2.0 dönemi başlıyor ve Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr r10.net seo yarışması" adtech ile reklam 2.0 dönemi başlıyor ve Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr r10.net seo yarışması adtech ile reklam 2.0 dönemi başlıyor ve Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr r10.net seo yarışması "adtech ile reklam 2.0 dönemi başlıyor ve Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr r10.net seo yarışması" "adtech ile reklam 2.0 dönemi başlıyor ve Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr r10.net seo yarışması" adtech ile reklam 2.0 dönemi başlıyor ve Trkycmhrytllbtpydrklcktr r10.net seo yarışması ıslak mendil ıslak mendil kolonyalı mendil kolonyalı mendil paketleme ambalajlama paket web tasarım seo refreshing towel perde tatil kozmetik haber joy türk radyo aşk haber video tatil tekstilkent yabancı personel çalışma izni

sohbet
sohbet
sohbet
tsek
tsek
Ankara kurumsal
Ankara kurumsal
Ankara kurumsal
Ankara kurumsal danismanlik
Ankara kurumsal danismanlik
Ankara kurumsal danismanlik
kurumsal danismanlik
kurumsal danismanlik
turizm isletme belgesi
turizm isletme belgesi
turizm isletme belgesi
temizlik firmalari
Chat
Anarchy credits (URL) said:
In Anarchy Online, we can use Anarchy credits to change our equipment.
sohbet (URL) said:
thanks. very good blog.
sohbet
www.sevgisohbet.com and
kelebek
mirc
youtube
kuran dinle
cheap Angels Online gold (URL) said:
when I came into contact with this game, found that it has more depth than the other online games which should buy Angels Online gold to beat monsters, collect goods. In this game, you need to fish for NPC, mining, sowing and food preparation to get rewards that is Angels Online gold. The NPC is also very cute. The guilder brand and weapons etc can design freely or purchase from the NPC by cheap Angels Online gold. This game does not require too much memory and more Angels Online money, but need to the 722 MB of space to download. It can automatically pick up goods and Angels gold, Automatically work without artificial guards. The skill upgrades with the upgrading of role.
iro zeny (URL) said:
It is said that you can beat a card then you can sell 30 iro zeny .
rappelz money (URL) said:
As for the cost of rappelz money to buy the recovery boxes is not good ideas.
a said:
modern abstract art sofa manufacturer гранит 净水器 混合机 过滤机
保险箱 保险柜 阳痿 法兰 法兰标准 ffxi gil
牛皮癣 皮肤病 北京快递公司 北京国际快递
传世私服 传奇世界私服 天龙八部私服 天龙私服 传奇私服
网络电话 免费网络电话
假发 补发 织发 植发 上海搬家公司
上海搬场公司 大众搬家
大众搬场 韩国SZ女装
实验仪 传感器实验仪 传感器实验仪 传感器实验仪
萎缩性胃炎 neoprene laptop bags
DHL快递 苏州DHL SEO优化 SEO优化 计量泵 hose clamp 胃炎 胃病
血糖仪 血糖仪 银杏 水培花卉 企业宣传片 空分设备
代孕 代孕网 软件著作权登记
代孕 代孕 代孕 试管婴儿 代孕 电话交换机 程控交换机 集团电话 集装袋
混合机混合机 混合机捏合机 捏合机 捏合机导热油炉 导热油炉 导热油炉 反应釜 反应釜 反应釜 回流焊 波峰焊
spherical roller bearing 韩国SZ女装
DHL快递 苏州DHL 苏州DHL快递
搬运车 搬运车 电动搬运车 油桶搬运车 堆高车 电动堆高车 半电动堆高车 堆垛车 高空作业平台车 电动叉车 平衡重叉车 前移叉车 电瓶叉车
苗木价格 苗木信息 标牌制作 深圳标牌 儿童摄影 北京儿童摄影 防静电鞋 淘宝刷信誉
威海凤凰湖 威海海景房 大庆密封件
阴茎短小 阴茎增大 打标机 淘宝刷信誉 安全帽 TESOL/TEFL国际英语教师证书 英语教师进修及培训
早泄 前列腺炎 皇冠足球投注网 韩国饰品批发 代写论文 代写代发 论文代写 代写毕业论文 减速机 野山参 西洋参 美甲加盟店 美甲店加盟 淘宝刷信誉 金龙出租汽车 电源模块 模块电源
X架 超薄灯箱> 易拉宝 展柜制作
代理服务器 游戏加速器 网络加速器 网通加速器 电信加速器 电信网通转换器 电信网通加速器 网通电信互转 网通电信互通 网络游戏加速器 美国VPN代理 美国独享VPN 美国独享IP
pvc ceiling panel Spherical roller bearings 天龙八部私服
电烤箱 厨房电器
电蒸炉
烤箱
家用电烤箱
嵌入式电烤箱
消毒柜
家用消毒柜
嵌入式消毒柜
蒸汽炉
武汉日本留学 武汉韩国留学
中国福利彩票双色球 磁翻板液位计 北京仪器仪表网 磁翻板液位计 椭圆齿轮流量计 折弯机 SEO优化
安全鞋 劳保鞋 防砸鞋 电绝缘鞋 上海安全鞋 上海劳保鞋 江苏劳保鞋
欧洲旅游 美国旅游 马尔代夫旅游
服装软件 服装管理软件 进销存软件 进销存管理软件 服装管理系统 服装进销存软件 进销存系统 进销存管理系统 免费进销存软件
吉林中医 东北特产
广州市酒店 司盘
斯潘 吐温
阴茎增粗 阴茎延长 打包机 dhl
阳痿 阴茎短小 阴茎增大 早泄 前列腺炎 阴茎增粗 阴茎延长
国际机票 上海国际机票 国际打折机票 国际特价机票
CRM 客户管理软件 客户关系管理 免费客户管理软件 客户管理软件下载 客户信息管理系统 销售管理系统 销售管理 CRM系统 CRM软件 客户关系管理系统 客户关系管理软件 客户管理 客户管理系统 营销管理系统 客户资源管理 销售管理软件 客户资料管理软件 客户资源管理软件 客户信息管理软件 客户资料管理 客户资源管理 客户信息管理 客户资料管理系统 客户资源管理系统 客户管理软件免费版
砂磨机 砂磨机 砂磨机 卧式砂磨机 卧式砂磨机 卧式砂磨机 三辊研磨机 三辊研磨机 三辊研磨机 混合机 混合机 混合机 锥形混合机 锥形混合机 锥形混合机 行星动力混合机 行星动力混合机 行星动力混合机 无重力混合机 无重力混合机 无重力混合机 干粉砂浆设备 干粉砂浆设备 干粉砂浆设备 捏合机 捏合机 捏合机 导热油炉 导热油炉 导热油炉 反应釜 反应釜 反应釜 搪玻璃反应釜 搪玻璃反应釜 搪玻璃反应釜
乳化机 涂料设备 干混砂浆设备 无重力混合机 胶体磨 涂料成套设备 双螺旋混合机
北京婚庆 北京婚庆公司
商业计划书 投资价值分析报告
玩具加盟 玩具店加盟 湖北led 400电话
办证 呼吸机 制氧机
减速箱
准分子 近视治疗 眼科医院
眼科 眼科专科医院
亚都 亚都加湿器 亚都净化器 亚都装修卫士
饰品批发 小饰品批发 韩国饰品 韩国饰品批发 premature ejaculation penis enlargement
破碎机 制砂机 球磨机 雷蒙磨 雷蒙磨粉机 鄂式破碎机 免烧砖机 加气混凝土设备 反击式破碎机 选矿设备
安利产品 马来西亚留学
苗猪 仔猪 种猪
仔猪 苗猪 仔猪 苗猪 仔猪 苗猪
格力空调 格力 广州格力空调专卖 广州格力空调价格
网站优化 网站推广
衬布
vancl 冷却塔
上海装潢 股骨头坏死 更衣柜
代写论文 代写论文
论文代写
代写论文
代写代发职称论文
代写硕士论文 代写论文
代写毕业论文 代写硕士论文 代写代发职称论文 代写毕业论文
论文代写 代写论文 代写硕士论文 代写毕业论文
磁力泵
离心泵
化工泵
隔膜泵
螺杆泵
潜水泵
油泵
耐腐蚀泵
泵 水泵
拖链 防护罩 排屑机 塑料拖链 钢铝拖链
放热焊接,火泥熔接,离子接地极,离子接地棒,铜包钢,镀铜钢,接地模块,降阻剂,接地,铜包钢绞线,铜包钢
水泵
磁力泵
隔膜泵
离心泵
液下泵
自吸泵
多级泵
排污泵
螺杆泵
油泵
化工泵
电动隔膜泵
气动隔膜泵
自吸式磁力泵
氟塑料磁力泵
管道离心泵
导热油泵
深井泵
潜水泵
污水泵
潜水排污泵
无线售饭机
32位售饭机 TCP/IP消费机 互联网消费机 广域网消费机 32位消费机 无线消费机 WIFI消费机 TCP/IP售饭机
USB消费机 语音消费机
USB消费机 语音消费机 嵌入式消费机 售饭机 水控机 水控器
深圳装饰 深圳装饰公司 深圳装修公司
dhl dhl快递
广州搬家公司 广州吊装公司 广州大众搬家公司 广州大众搬屋公司
皇冠投注网 足球投注网
特价机票 打折机票 国际机票 机票
新风换气机 换气机 立式新风换气机 风机箱 新风系统 能量回收机
搅拌机 混合机 乳化机 分散机
毛刷 毛刷辊 工业毛刷 刷子 钢丝刷
网球场 环氧地坪
涂层测厚仪 硬度计
兆欧表 激光测距仪
测振仪 转速表
温湿度计 风速仪
超声波测厚仪
粗糙度仪
噪音计 红外测温仪
万用表
硬度计 万用表
美容院 美容加盟
澳洲留学 澳大利亚留学
屋顶风机 轴流风机 排烟风机 离心风机 混流风机 斜流风机 管道风机 风机 风机厂 上虞风机
什么是法兰
电烤箱
酒店预定 北京酒店预定 北京酒店
老虎机上分器
离心机
张家界旅游 香港旅游 深圳旅行社
里氏硬度计 洛氏硬度计
维氏硬度计 硬度计
粗糙度仪 超声波测厚仪
超声波探伤仪 测振仪
转速表 红外线测温仪
打包机 收缩机
nail equipment nail products nail product nail uv lamp nail uv lamp nail uv lamps uv nail lamp nail brush nail file nail tool nail tip nail gel curing uv lamps lights
万用表 风速仪
红外测温仪 噪音计
welcome to wow gold,world of warcraft gold,warcraft gold,world of warcraft gold,wow leveling, the cheapWoW Power Leveling, service site,world of warcraft WoW Power Leveling,fast and secure service.we WoW Power Leveling, WoW gold isn’t found everywhere in the game; WoW Power Leveling,you have to look for it and, when you find it,WoW Gold, you have to save it.WoW Gold,WOW goldis earned through doing things like killing enemies, WoW Gold, hunting and crafting. WoW Gold, is for sale online at a number of locations. buy WoW Gold,The decision wow gold,wow gold to buy wow gold is one Cheap WoW Gold, that many video gamers wrestle with. Cheap WoW Gold,Many World of Warcraft players try to play the game on their own wow power level before making the decision to buy wow gold. Cheap WoW Gold,If you wow gold,want to buy Cheap WoW Gold,wow gold there is nothing wrong with it.WoW Gold, Buying wow gold is similar to finding cheat codes WoW Gold,World of warcraft Power Leveling,World of warcraft Power Leveling,age of conan gold,aoc gold,buy aoc gold,cheap aoc gold,aoc power leveling,age of conan power leveling,aoc power leveling,aoc gold,age of conan gold,age of conan power leveling,maplestory mesos, maple story mesos,maple story mesos,maple story mesos,maple story mesos,Maple Story mesos,MapleStory mesos,ms mesos,mesos,SilkRoad Gold,SRO Gold,SilkRoad Online Gold,eq2 plat,eq2 gold,eq2 Platinum,EverQuest 2 Platinum,EverQuest 2 gold,EverQuest 2 plat,lotro gold,lotr gold,Lord of the Rings online Gold,oil purifier,rolex replica,replica rolex,chongqing,yantai,evening dresses,evening gowns,wedding dresses,bridal gowns,wedding gowns,cocktail dresses,Bridesmaid dresses,prom dresses,formal dresses,Promotional items,Promotional products,Wedding dresses,Pet supplies,Dog clothes,Replica handbags,Replica Watches,wedding cake toppers,cake toppers,digital cameras,digital camera,warhammer online,war gold,digital cameras,digital camera,Mobile Phones,Mobile Phone,Cell Phones,Cell Phone,Mp3,world of warcraft power leveling,world of warcraft power leveling,power leveling wow,power leveling wow,power leveling wow,cheap wow power leveling,cheap wow power leveling,cheap wow power leveling,buy wow power leveling,buy wow power leveling,buy wow power leveling,power leveling,power leveling,power leveling,power level,power level,power level,
sohbet (URL) said:
thank you admin

sohbet (URL) said:
thanks

mirc
vefe (URL) said:
I added it to the in-progress organization/communication structure page on the wiki.

Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it. ankara nakliyat
berkn (URL) said:
Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it. Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it. ankara evden eve
vefeb (URL) said:
Thank you very much for this useful article. I like it şarkı sözleri
gervase (URL) said:
640-802 / 642-444 / 70-620 / 220-601 / 640-816 / 350-030Facebook Borks Blockbuster: Beacon Turns Into A Lawsuit (BBI) To tell you the truth (that…) Honestly…. Not a chance.
mirc (URL) said:
hi thanx
very nice
mirc

Join the discussion



Copyright © 2008 Silicon Alley Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.