So, apparently Facebook has disallowed/blocked a brilliant application of Web 2.0 interconnectedness. The SuicideMachine is a site that allows you to purge your online identity with the click of a few buttons. And, when this launched, I knew it was going to be a headache, but one easily fixed. Block it.
Here is the key ethical concern though. People continue to think that their identity online is theirs when they share it publicly. Your real information, real email addresses, real connections via Facebook especially, are NOT YOURS once you put them on a public site. Facebook has shown its true colors on this several times. But people flock to it like drones to a queen bee. I’m on Facebook for one reason… to keep others from snagging my name. That is pretty much it. I occasionally drop by to say “Hi!” but not much else. I don’t play games, I don’t accept offers from friends for gifts and what-not. It simply isn’t private, and unless you keep it professional, or plan to have a completely public identity; you should have used the SuicideMachine before it was blocked. Your data is designed to be capitalized upon. Having control of a social network allows unbelievable levels of security breeches at mere keystroke length. And I’m considering unfriending everyone and just locking my account down to empty goodness.
Disallowing a The SuicideMachine from purging your identity is just another step in Facebook’s questionable ethics. Closing its system to your termination of your account is next. Since I haven’t used it, I can’t verify it myself, but I’m going to trust the LA Times. But I am one of those people that believe you should be able to wipe your existence from any company database at any time. Regardless of who or what it is. My personally identifiable data should be only controlled by me. That includes fingerprints [I won't be visiting Disneyland], how I walk, how I talk, and everything else. I’m not paranoid, but I enjoy my privacy.
I liken this move by Facebook akin to the move Nokia is using on Apple. If you can’t compete, you prevent. In this case, Facebook can’t compete against people reaching a point where they don’t want their personal information floating around.
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