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Hold on to Your Socks: Facebook is NOT a Social Network

At least that’s what Facebook says. It seems Facebook is making a public stand that they are a ‘social utility’ and not a ‘social network’.

According to a Blog post on TechCrunch, Facebook users’ accounts are being deleted and users are being told that “…Facebook accounts are meant for authentic usage only. This means that we expect accounts to reflect mainly “real-world” contacts (i.e. your family, schoolmates, co-workers, etc.), rather than mainly “internet-only” contacts. As stated on our home page, Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you, not a “social networking site”.

As discussed in a recent blog post by WebProNews, it seems that Facebook is getting its feathers ruffled over a popular Facebook application called PackRat created by Alamofire.

In this game users gather, purchase, steal and collect cards. Apparently, this game is so popular that many people are making soaring amounts of ‘internet-only’ friends in violation of Facebook’s Terms of Use and quickly finding out that participation in the game has caused the cancellation of their Facebook account.

Who knew making new friends would get your account canceled?

Posted by Cheryl Waller - Sales / Marketing - Kayyah.com on 09/16/2008 01:33 PM

Comments (19)

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19 Comments on Hold on to Your Socks: Facebook is NOT a Social Network

SEP

2008

That's kind of silly...it can be hard for an entity to control how users want to use it. Besides, how old-fashioned are they? People have been making friends and building relationships online that often BECOME "real life" relationships. Didn't Facebook get the memo?

WOW, I had no idea at all! That is interesting!

Brooke

I don't see how they would distinguish the difference between REAL WORLD & INTERNET WORLD? seems suspicious. KM

I never use those applications. I agree with their policy on "internet only" friends. Each day I get like 50 request to join somebody's game world. I haven't tried to apply to an application yet!

Kind Regards,

Manolis

Seems like a social network to me! I think facebook is too big for the powers above to control who you are friends with. Lots of the applications are childish, my sister in law has sent me 300 flowers and tons of good karma, I have no clue how to do it and don't care to know. But obviously some folks get obsessed.

So does this mean if you don't give them your friends, family ect... physical addresses they will delete you?

That is just ridiculous! Thanks for posting about it.

Cheryl,

Thanks for the post. I have yet to venture into Facebook and now with this revelation, I just may not!

Cheryl~ Nothing really surprises me anymore! I am on facebook, but I don't really do much with it.

heaven forbids you make friends, it is just that they haven't found a way to make money off it.

But, what if I only want online friends?!?!? I'd never heard the term "Social Utility" but just did a Google search and it shows up there way back in 2007 in a Time Magazine Article. mmmmm feeling a bit "disconnected" from my inner geek, going to have to work on that.

Thanks for sharing -

I've been thinking about joining facebook/myspace for the "social networking". Guess I won't even waste my time on it! Thanks for the heads up. :)

Facebook is good. Facebook does have applications that entice others to ask you to become a friend, to further them in the game. Mob-Wars is one of these and I have 'internet' friends in my 'mob.' I also see when my family is online, when they post comments, or, as my sister-in-law did the other day, post special collections of photographs. Facebook has re-connected me with good guys and gals from my past, people I haven't seen since I moved to The States and who I socialized with back in England. I hope this all blows over. I like Facebook and I hope it sticks around for my family, friends and internet only friends who i may one day meet?

Chris...

P.S. I am eligible to join the over forties network at www.tbd.com

Look me up under 'PrimeBrit." Not entirley happy I am able to log in, but not that bothered I am forty plus. Just having to work out more often, especially if I want to continue to treat chardonnay as my water... :)

SEP

2008

How interesting! Some of it makes sense, but, all of these thing combined, are networking socially. Just that some of these are pre-made characters:) Thanks for letting us know!

It's a Good Life!

Fran

NOV

2008

Picky, picky! :-) I had no idea that they want you to only "friend" your real friends. I've had several Internet acquaintances from Active Rain etc that have asked to be my friend -- didn't know that wasn't allowed.

NOV

2008

so does this mean to be in compliance of their regulations one should go and meet with all their contacts?

Sounds like reason to party!

NOV

2008

Seems to me that Facebook is shooting themselves in the foot here. What difference is it to them if you make new friends around the world or only add your local friends and family members. What's the point of using it if it's only to share with people you already know and see on a regular basis? Hmmm... Seems rather silly on their part to make this type of restriction.

NOV

2008

I'm not sure of the reasoning behind Facebook trying to negate social networking. I thought the whole intent of these sites was not only to re-connect with friends, but to have the ability to connect with new people all over the world. I am hoping it will bring me new business eventually, as well as new friends and business relationships.

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