Facebook seems to have a history of playing around with users’ privacy and a glance over the Facebook’s developer blog says there aren’t any lessons learnt. It shares modifications in a permission dialogue box that displays users’ addresses and phone numbers to app developers. Access to mobile phone number and address along with the websites as well as apps employed by Facebook users is extremely significant to advertisers and app developers.
While downloading third-party apps, users can now see a ‘request for permission’ dialogue box appealing for admission to basic information, including current address and mobile phone number. Although this technology will enable app makers to offer funded apps, it comes at the expense of the users’ privacy. Many a times, Facebook users may fail to notice the alteration and will click the dialogue box’s ‘allow’ button without giving a second thought.
Apart from hijackers and identity thieves, some developers can also come up with fake apps for laying hands on private information. While the latest Facebook technology benefits advertisers and app makers, personal data of users is at a risk. However, those unhappy with the idea of sharing their information can delete personally identifiable information from their account. On removing the basic information app developers will have access to only a blank line.