Facebook vs. privacy issues
Does Facebook violate users' privacy by making public too much of their personal information? The Federal Trade Commission is currently wrangling with Facebook over this important issue. However—there’s another debate going on at the same time, and it is about what Facebook learns about those who visit its website and where they go next. Full article.
BR class-action suit targets Facebook
An East Baton Rouge Parish resident recently filed a class-action suit against Facebook Inc., alleging that the social-networking giant violates a federal wiretap law and Louisiana privacy and consumer-protection laws by collecting information on users’ Internet habits, even when they are not connected to Facebook. Facebook officials in Palo Alto, Calif., provided no comment on the lawsuit. Full information.
Facebook adds Skype video chat feature
Facebook recently introduced a video-calling feature in partnership with Skype, the popular Internet video-chat provider. The product comes a week after Google launched a competing network that a video-chatting program. Full article.
Gaming with Facebook credits
Facebook plans to require all games on its site to accept payments through its own currency, called "Facebook Credits." Users already use virtual currency and Facebook gets a 30 percent cut when developers use credits to sell virtual goods. Full article.
E-Mail gets instant makeover
Text messages are eclipsing emails these days, and Internet companies like Facebook are responding with message services that are focused on immediate gratification. E-mail does have its place — namely work and other serious business, like online shopping, but this is less a generational phenomenon than a situational one. Full article.
Facebook ramps up E-Commerce
Facebook is ramping up efforts to entice companies such as Delta and J.C. Penney to sell wares on its pages and convert its users into online shoppers. It’s also adding e-commerce features to attract users, keep them logged-on longer, and generate higher advertising sales in an effort to compete with sites like eBay. Full article.
Changes for Bing
Microsoft will upgrade its Bing search engine, and will include Facebook in that change. Bing will now feature more recommendations and other input from social circles. Full article.
Restaurants using Facebook to drive online orders
A growing number of restaurant chains are using Facebook to drive sales by connecting fans on the social network to their online ordering systems. Other chains with online ordering systems accessible from their Facebook pages include Dallas-based Pizza Hut. Full article.
AOL and Facebook test new webmail service programs
Two of the biggest names from the Internet's past and present are looking at e-mail service. AOL and Facebook are testing webmail service programs, designed to help users get email messages they really want and send short replies. Full article.
Social media helps local businesses better engage customers and boost revenue
Listening to people talking on Twitter and Facebook about your products or company can help you grow relationships with them. There are several things to keep in mind, however, when using social media, including training your staff to remember that their actions could go public. It will cost you time and effort to embed a solid social media strategy in your business, but the effect it can have on customer relationships makes it all worthwhile. Full article.
