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Evil Facebook

Evil Facebook

One more reason to hate Facebook.

After a lawsuit last year claiming that the Multi-Billion Dollar valued Social Network violated the law by using people’s names and images alongside advertisements without compensating them, Facebook agreed to include options for users to opt out of these. Now where can these options be found, I have absolutely no idea. Ask Zucky about that.

There was a hue and cry by the public because the users actions were connected to liking a brand whereas when their names were being associated with Ads, the image and text of the Ads were completely in control of the brand. For example – “Vijay likes X brand” is totally fine. But me being shown beside an Ad that says “Buy X brand’s product” is totally offensive for me.

See the following screenshot. The write-up at the bottom doesn’t make any sense.

Facebook Policy Changes

While am “opting out  to ads that FB pairs with news about social actions, FB may still use these social actions in other contexts like Sponsored Stories…..” Uh…. Not speaking on the basis of the 96 marks I scored in my English Exam in 8th Standard, but this sounds like Bane talking to me – I can’t understand a word, but still know its something bad.

But don’t worry, this ain’t the bad news. The bad news is just coming up. Based on the lawsuit mentioned above, Facebook is now bringing about changes in the statement of rights and responsibilities notes that users would be granting permission to Facebook to use information in Ads. (Read the full red-line document here)

To put it short and specific, the terms are going from this

You can use your privacy settings to limit how your name and profile picture may be associated with commercial, sponsored, or related content (such as a brand you like) served or enhanced by us.

to this

You give us permission to use your name, and profile picture, content, and information in connection with commercial, sponsored, or related that content (such as a brand you like) served or enhanced by us, subject to the limits you place. This means, for example, that you permit a business or other entity to pay us to display your name and/or profile picture with your content or information, without any compensation to you. If you have selected a specific audience for your content or information, we will respect your choice when we use it.

 

Oh wait, wait, wait. Before you start cursing and reaching out for your rifle, have the patience to read through the next para too. It explains the proposed changes in the data usage policy of Facebook. In simpler terms, how they can get to know “everything” about you.

We receive data from or about the computer, mobile phone, or other devices you use to install Facebook apps or to access Facebook, including when multiple users log in from the same device. This may include network and communication information, such as your IP address or mobile phone number, and other information about things like your internet service, operating system, location, the type (including identifiers) of the device or browser you use, or the pages you visit. For example, we may get your GPS or other location information so we can tell you if any of your friends are nearby, or we could request device information to improve how our apps work on your device.

But don’t worry, all’s not lost. These changes will be brought in only on September 5th, 2013. You can submit your feedback to Facebook on these changes here.

I leave it to your judgement on whether you actually think Facebook  would heed the feedback from the public. Just going through the already submitted responses would give you enough idea already.

Finish off with the following toon I found to be apt for the situation.

http://vijayspaul.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Facebook-Terms-and-Services-Cartoon.jpg

 

 

 

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Facebook e commerce

We live in times when actors play cricket, cricketers act as corrupt politicians, politicians watch porn in parliament and porn-stars become actors. No one seems to do what they’re actually supposed to. And still Twitter being down is considered to be a bigger tragedy than the National Economy being down. Aargh!

Somewhat similar is the case with Facebook I feel now. Wikipedia tells me its a “social networking service” but I have my doubts about it. Yes, for someone whose bread and butter is all about being on Facebook, am digging my own grave. But a man has got to do what a man has got to do. And that includes writing honest opinions.

Lets see Facebook from my eyes – a normal user plus a marketer. I enjoy my time on Facebook and also rack my brains on formulating strategies and run targeted Ad Campaigns for clients. Right from the moment I log into FB, am surrounded by all sorts of Ads. Right side Ads, Sponsored stories, Ads on my timeline, promoted posts, App Ads in mobile browsing….. the list goes on. Now, for a marketer, its good news – “Congrats mate! You’re ads are being bombarded on the audience”. Pfft. But as with all maniacs who’re mad about Social Media, I do too understand that’s exactly how it’s NOT supposed to work. But who’ll listen?

Now. changing my role from a regular user to that of being a marketer, I log onto one of the pages we manage and check its insights. BLISTERING STORM CHATTERING BARNACLES!!! Its all haywire. The post that was engaged by about 110 people, shows a virality of 1.3% and the post that garnered 4 likes shows a virality of 9.7%! Either the insights are totally screwed up, or I misunderstand the meaning of the word virality.

Facebook e commerce

And then you have the admin control panel. Where, once upon a long time ago you could see notifications and list of new likes by default, now you only see “Get New Likes” and “Promote Post”. I feel more like am being asked permission to be robbed than advertise as a marketer.

Moving on, I go ahead to promote a post in a client’s page since its something important. (Yes, I am mad enough to use the promote option ever since some guys over at FB decided to decrease the organic reach of page content from 80% to about 20%. I’ll kill the person who thought only about the financials of it). And then I get my third and final heart attack of the day. The minimum rate for promoting a post has been increased to INR 300! From 260 to 280 to 300!!

Reflects my blood pressure at the moment.

Literally too scared to move on, afraid it might ask for my bank account access next, I close the work for the day. And start thinking.

Yes, Mark Z also wants to make money. Yes, he also has bills to pay and salaries to give. But a product which started off as a Social Network has now lost all its beauty. Its more like a classifieds site now, with a secondary motive to act as a Social Network. At times I feel better staring at the Classified page of the newspaper than the Facebook Home screen. At least no one offers me an iPhone 4S for 95% discount here 😐

Facebook might as well be named the best E-Commerce site out there yet. As for what they’re selling and what’s their product? I leave it to your imagination….

facebook cartoon

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From my Session at College of Engineering, Chengannur.
Have to agree, was one of the best crowd I have seen till date. With the morning session being this and the afternoon session being taken by Ajin on E-Mail etiquettes (which was another awesome presentation in itself), we joined up together on the last session on Resume Making for the students. A last minute thought up topic to utilize the left over time. Thankfully, it turned to be another fruitful session. The students had lot many questions to ask on, and we were glad to help them out with most of it.
Feels great to have been able to share some useful info with the next generation 🙂

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Just one of those boring nights when you’re finished with your work and can’t decide whether to replay the levels of Cut The Rope or stalk some unknown people on Facebook…

I chose Option C – none of the above.

As I was scrolling lazily down my timeline in Facebook, I happened to lay my eyes upon an Ad. I don’t exactly remember what the Ad said but it was inquisitive enough for me to click it and make FB earn some quick bucks.

The Ad sent me to a FB App titled – Heineken Social Reporter: The Candidate. Now, the title of the app increased my interest level because

  1. It had the words “Social” (And I somehow felt its something related to Social Media)
  2. Heineken, along with Hot Dogs and Barbecue is one of those things I haven’t tried but do want to try out as soon as I get a chance.

As it turned out, I was half right. Point 1 to be specific.

Heineken Social Reporter is a contest to find out “The Candidate” who would be reporting the weekend of the UEFA Champions League Finals 2013. And attend the parties! All that made proper sense to me to participate as I myself am expecting my passport in a few weeks and would love the first trip to be a free one 😀

image

image

So, I applied, waiting to fill out whatever form would come with the wittiest answer in my arsenal, dreaming of the crowd and the feel of the stadium, imagining myself sitting in the VIP stands and….. this is what I get-

image

THIS!!

All dreams kicked out of the ground and I sit staring at the computer screen feeling trolled. With a Capital T!!

That feeling got over soon, but what hit my mind was, how poorly targeted the FB Ad Campaign of Heineken is. If it is meant to be for people above 25 then why can’t they target their Ads for the said group? Why is a 23 year old being shown the Ad? Why just waste money getting unnecessary clicks? And at times even trolling people like me who seriously wanted to participate in the contest…. 😐

 Publicity might be a good excuse to the question of mine, but this exactly isn’t a viral contest where one would be so big-hearted as to share the news with others. Especially when they have no chance in the world of even participating! (That’s jealousy + disappointment talking).

Everything said, I seriously hope Heineken refines the targeting of their Ads. Else they would just be losing out money on an unnecessary scale and quite some fellas like me would be wasting their time, only to know they aren’t old enough to play the game…. Sheesh!!

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1.       Each time the train is late, people would tweet and complain to @IRCTC. Which means IRCTC and #TrainLate would be trending 365x24x7.

2.       If each train was available on Foursquare, people needn’t carry their ticket. All they need do is check-in! Considering this, the TTR would be the mayor “always”.

3.       Just like Dell Hell, IRCTC would have “Rail Fail”. And for this the Govt. would form a Committee to look into the matter and submit a final report to the CBI.

4.       Each time a train arrives on time, it would be celebrated as a milestone event in its Facebook Page.

5.      Pinterest would be loaded with boards named Rajdhani Ki Jawaani, Shatabdi Ki Aabaadi, Intercity Ki Badboo, Duronto Ki Duranth…. Etc.

6.       Instagram would be decorated with vintage photos of IRCTC’s vintage food.

7.       If IRCTC ran a Social Media Campaign with something of the sorts of ‘free-ticket-to-anyone-who-tweets-when-train-late’, it would be the largest and most successful SM campaign in the world. EVER! But it would also mean that IRCTC would be shut down in a week.

8.       Having its presence on Social Media would also mean people would be able to directly interact with the engine diver.

The tweets would read something like:

·       @CryingKid: Mr @EngineDriver, could you please stop the train. My candy fell out the window. I’ll share half of it with you 🙂

·       @TrafficPC: @EngineDriver You drive like this on the road and your fine would be enough to pay my kid’s school fees.

·     @InAHurryDude: @EngineDriver Buddy, if you reach the destination an hour earlier, I promise to send you a friend’s request in FB. #PrettyPlease

·      @CrazyPhotographer: Could you take the train 1km in reverse? I took a photo of the scenery but had forgotten to remove the camera cover!! #DumbMe

·    @TTR: @EngineDriver FOR GOODNESS SAKE listen to the people!! My TL already looks like the lyrics from an Eminem Album :/ #Help

 9.       Fail Whale would become the better known homepage of Twitter if IRCTC ever made a Twitter Account.

10.    FLASH NEWS:

Today:

In order to widespread the use of Google+ in India, Google has tied up with IRCTC. Now all queries towards IRCTC can be asked on its G+ Page.

Next Day:

Google+ gets 20 million new members in a day. All from India.

Next to Next Day:

Google records 1000% increase in traffic on Google+.

Next to Next to Next Day:

Google+ down due to server overload. #GoogleMinus trending.

11.    Ticketless travel would no longer be fined. The individual would be asked to write positive comments on IRCTC’s Facebook Page, Tweet positive about it and write a 500 word blog post on the topic “IRCTC – Heaven on Wheels”.

12.    As a replacement for Tatkal System, tickets on Tatkal Quota would be given to those who invite maximum number of friends to like IRCTC’s Facebook Page.

13.    On Google Searching the word “late”, IRCTC’s website would top the results.

IRCTC

14.    Based on Angry Bird’s Facebook Game Model, IRCTC would enable passengers to ‘Brag’ if they ever reached their destination on time…… EVER.

Anyone who is able to “brag” more than twice a year would be eligible for ‘India’s Luckiest person Award’.

15.    And, if people tweet to @IRCTC_Food their choice of food, with their date of journey, Train and seat Number, it’ll be delivered to them.

(Statutory Warning: IRCTC Food may or may not be injurious to health. Eat at your own risk.

Issued in Public Interest by @IRCTC_PassengerWelfare)