Facebook open sources parts of its app development platform

Facebook is releasing as open-source software parts of its application development platform in order to make it easier for programmers to create applications for the social-networking site, the company announced Monday. ...continue reading 'Facebook open sources parts of its app development platform'

Facebook security flaw could compromise accounts

A researcher has spotted a security problem in Facebook that could lead to hackers taking control of user accounts. ...continue reading 'Facebook security flaw could compromise accounts'

Facebook CEO wants to talk on Google Friend Connect

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to sit down with Google and work out the privacy issues that caused Facebook to block Google's Friend Connect last week, he said Monday. ...continue reading 'Facebook CEO wants to talk on Google Friend Connect'

Microsoft reportedly inquiring about Facebook's availability

In the wake of collapsed talks with Yahoo, Microsoft reportedly is sniffing around social-networking site Facebook as a possible acquisition target, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Neither company would comment on the rumor, and the Journal reported there are no active talks between the two. ...continue reading 'Microsoft reportedly inquiring about Facebook's availability'

Facebook partners with AGs for kids' safety

Facebook is following in the footsteps of its rival MySpace by reaching an online safety agreement with the attorneys general of 49 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. ...continue reading 'Facebook partners with AGs for kids' safety'

British police use Facebook to gather evidence

The Greater Manchester Police force has created a Facebook application to collect leads for investigations, marking the first use of the social networking site by U.K. law enforcement. ...continue reading 'British police use Facebook to gather evidence'

Facebook beefs up privacy options, readies online chat

Facebook plans to roll out new privacy features on Wednesday that will give users more control over who sees the data stored on their profile pages. ...continue reading 'Facebook beefs up privacy options, readies online chat'

Hackers ramp up Facebook, MySpace attacks

Hackers are actively exploiting an Internet Explorer plug-in that's widely used by Facebook Inc. and MySpace.com members with a multi-attack kit, a security company warned Friday. ...continue reading 'Hackers ramp up Facebook, MySpace attacks'

Facebook privacy chief: Data portability dangers overlooked

The launch of Facebook's Beacon advertising system in November put the social networking site in the middle of a controversy over privacy, as Beacon was criticized for being too aggressive and stealthy in collecting and broadcasting information about users' activities online. For that reason, few people would probably envy the job of Chris Kelly, Facebook's chief privacy officer and the person most responsible for explaining the site's policies to the public. In this interview, Kelly answers questions about Beacon and other hot topics, including the company's efforts to protect minors from sexual predators, and data portability. ...continue reading 'Facebook privacy chief: Data portability dangers overlooked'

Facebook tightens app development platform to curb abuses

Facebook kicked off the new year with additional tweaks to its development platform as it continues to grapple with external programmers who spur adoption of their applications among Facebook members through deceitful and abusive practices. ...continue reading 'Facebook tightens app development platform to curb abuses'

Facebook watchers offer advice against data leaks

A recent lawsuit filed against the operator of a Canadian porn site by social networking giant Facebook Inc. should serve as a security warning for both small and large enterprises, analysts said. ...continue reading 'Facebook watchers offer advice against data leaks'

Facebook sues Canadian porn company over hacking

Facebook is suing a Canadian Internet porn company and seventeen people for allegedly trying to mine its site for personal details. ...continue reading 'Facebook sues Canadian porn company over hacking'

Facebook to license its platform for other social sites

Facebook already encourages developers to build applications that work with its site, publishing details of the tags and APIs needed to exchange data. Now it plans to license those details for use by other social networking sites and platforms, according to the Facebook Developers blog. ...continue reading 'Facebook to license its platform for other social sites'

Facebook partners quiet on Beacon fallout

Many of the companies that were part of the launch of Facebook's new advertising platform intend to continue, despite privacy concerns. ...continue reading 'Facebook partners quiet on Beacon fallout'

Facebook doesn't budge on Beacon's broad user tracking

Facebook's CEO and Founder Mark Zuckerberg has profusely apologized for missteps in the design and deployment of the Beacon ad system, but he remains unrepentant about what privacy advocates consider a particularly egregious feature. ...continue reading 'Facebook doesn't budge on Beacon's broad user tracking'