Posted on 07/01/2015 10:43:47 AM PDT by Enlightened1
The Atlantic speculated Facebook is using it to monitor how views spread
But Facebook has denied using it to collect user data on behavior
The site has previously come under fire for altered the news feeds of almost 700,000 users in a huge psychological data experiment
Your Facebook feed is probably looking a little more colourful this week.
In celebration of the Supreme Court's approval of same-sex marriage, the site is offering users a tool to overlay their profile photos with a rainbow filter.
More than 26 million people changed their profile pictures using Facebook's rainbow filter to show their support for the LGBTQ community since the tool launched on Friday.
But while it may seem like Facebook's intentions are noble, some reports claim the social network may be carrying out another psychological test on its users.
The reports were sparked by a throwaway comment by MIT network scientist Cesar Hidalgo on Facebook.
He joked: 'This is probably a Facebook experiment!'
'The question is, how long will it take for people to change their profile pictures back to normal.'
This led Atlantic to speculate that by setting up its own tool to let people filter their profile picture, Facebook could gain unprecedented insight into how to influence people.
Facebook, however, immediately denied the claims.
A spokesperson for the site told DailyMail.com: 'This was not an experiment or test, but rather something that enables people to show their support of the LGBTQ community on Facebook.
'The point of this tool is not to get information about people.'
But, as a report in the Atlantic out, the site has long been involved in research to better see how information spreads in a social network.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
If there was a psychological test, you can bet that the data on related blocking and un-friending was part of it.
I know!! I am not a malignant narcissist - I don't need to take pictures of my life - suck it, Zuckerberg. I never sign up for sheep events - I am on LinkedIn though
SCROTUS? LOL!
i did
For your info, I have FB and I know my iq which is far from stupid. It is my way of keeping up with family/friends. I recently got friends’ request from people I went to school with for all 12 years. I confirmed them. My class only had 49 graduates and most of us went to school together all 12 years. Classmates are dying and I love keeping up with the rest. We knew just about everyone from 1-12 grades. It may not be for everyone but we love it. My only pictures are when I was a baby, elementary school, and I think I have a high school picture from before1962. I do not have my hometown, etc.
I have never seen so many Confederate flags on FB as I have recently.
Families and friends separated by long distances find FB to be a very useful tool in staying in touch and keeping up with what and how each other are doing.
I grew up in a U.S. possession which has since reverted back to its host nation...my childhood friends and classmates are scattered all over the globe.
Doesn’t make us “farking stoopid” to maintain close ties by wisely using a versatile and useful tool.
LGBTQOMGWTFBBQ
My friend and I were going to tack up a picture in our cube - a rainbow with the words “LGBT Pride” printed under it. Next to that, we were going to tack up a picture with the exact same rainbow and the words “Genesis 9:12-15” printed under it. And then we would sit by and listen to heads explode in HR as they tried to come up with a way to tell us to take the Christian one down, it being “offensive” and all...
Those that did will also probably accept the Mark of the Beast.
I just requested a red white and blue filter for my profile pic. It will be interesting to see if I even get a response.
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