another privacy issue care of facebook

A social networking site called facebook has received flak for how they allegedly pry into users privacy.

As I was in the U.P. law library the other day, looking busy but not really being very productive, I picked up one of the issues of the Economist. An article related how an annoyed facebook user was complaining that his surprise gift to his fiance was ruined by facebook. Apparently, facebook, like many other websites observes the browsing behaviour of the users. The data allows the website to choose the most relevant ads to show the user. Facebook took it a step further and integrated the behaviour of a users contacts by displaying information about them. Information about what products have been viewed or purchased by a persons contacts is shared by facebook. According to this particular annoyed facebook user, his fiance found out that he purchased a pair of gloves for her that she had expressed interest in.

A blog I read put it aptly, and I paraphrase: Imagine walking around a mall with somone following you around. As you are about to leave, he comes up to you and says: "I noticed you were looking at a workout book in the bookstore, would you like to have a look at some gym equipment, gym membership options and health supplements?" It's annoying to say the least.

There are suggestions that governments should step in to regulate how far into one's privacy a website can pry. I wonder if this is really necessary as these websites are dependent on the public's use for their revenue. If they have too many features that people don't like, the users are bound to stop going to these websites. It's quite self-policing in a sense. Nonetheless, a good law on the matter would be comforting for an average user like me.