Truth on Facebook orderedFriendsListInitialData
Monday, December 03, 2012
I'm sure many of you came across this image on Facebook recently. All I can tell you right now is that
It's not true.
I mean, it's not completely false. There is a possibility but it is not likely. There's a post that describes how they found out about that little piece of data. To sum it up, that piece of data is used when you search for people/things/games on the searchbar. They preloaded that data so that your search results appears almost immediately.
Where does the data come from? Facebook of course. These are pre-computed data based on the tons of information that you're leaking to Facebook. Oh, since I'm at this topic.
In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention).
For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!
(Anyone reading this can copy this text and paste it on their Facebook Wall. This will place them under protection of copyright laws. By the present communiqué, I notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents and/or any staff under Facebook's direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punishable by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).
Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile status updates.
Remember seeing something like this? Again, fake and useless. When you agreed to that ridiculously long page of terms & conditions, you've already gave the green light to Facebook for "selling your data". So if you're fretting over it, go take the time and read through the entire terms & conditions. I did anyway.
Back to the topic.
What metrics does Facebook use to generate that list? These are some, but not all of the factors.
- Common friends
- Friends of common friends
- Amount of times he/she visited your profile
- Amount of times you visited his/her profile
- Amount of times you've viewed profile of people related to him/her
- Games you play that he/she might play
- Recent interaction including shared posts, messages, wall posts, comments
- Whether you're in the same school/workplace
- Vicinity of your location
And many many other things Facebook take into account into generating your "profile". It's amazing to the point of frightening, how much data Facebook actually has on you. They pretty much mapped out all your possible friends and family and how close you are to someone.
Back to the main point, that OrderedFriendsLists I believe places huge emphasis on recent interactions you have with that person. The 2nd major factor is your searches, so it actually says more about your online stalking habits more than it says about the person who is possibly stalking you. Facebook wouldn't just give out such creepy data like this.
Well, don't go believing everything you see. Sometimes a little searching is all you need.
Labels: facebook, fake, featured, geek, lordofgeeks, myth, ordered friends list initial data, orderedfriendslistinitialdata, scam, stalking
