Report: ” Popular” Facebook Apps Are Sharing User Info with Third Parties [Privacy]

Interesting. Certain Facebook apps (ahem, Farmville) are sharing user info . Maybe that giant Jobs-Zuckerberg sit two weeks ago was a scolding about privacy and user experience? Not really. In any event the sharing goes against Facebook’s own rules.

The report arrives this evening due to reporting done over at the Wall Street Journal. In their report, we learn that ” hundreds of thousands” of users may be affected, mostly owing to popular apps created by Facebook games mega developer Zynga. Yes, virtual farmers, this includes your precious Farmville app!

The shared info includes Facebook user IDs, which advertisers and other tracking firms can use to search up user’s names and other info on the social network. Oh, and although you didn’t use Farmville or Texas Hold’em, you’re still vulnerable, as the breach allows third parties to view the friend lists of affected users and get your information that way. Swell!

Facebook has not yet responded to calls for comment, from the WSJ, CNET or otherwise. Inside the meantime, lock down those farms, people. [ WSJ ]

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This post is tagged: hundreds of thousands, third parties, user experience, virtual farmers, wall street journal