Settlement Proposed in Class Action Against Facebook
A proposed settlement in the class action lawsuit brought against Facebook in August, 2008, could mark the end of Beacon, if accepted.The lawsuit alleged that Facebook and affiliates Overstock.com and Blockbuster violated a number of laws around privacy including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act, the California Consumer Legal Remedies.
Beacon was designed to enlarge Facebook's social media advertising strategy by notifying people's Facebook friends about what other internet activities any said friend was up to - for example what other social media sties that person was visiting, any online purchases made. Needless to say it was a disaster from many perspectives.
If the proposed settlement is accepted, a foundation will be set up with $9.5 million (the settlement fund) within which experts on safety and privacy will consult with Facebook executives, to help promote online privacy, security and safety.
SEPT-21-09: Settlement Proposed in Class Action Against Facebook's Beacon [COMPUTER WORLD: FACEBOOK WILL SHUT DOWN BEACON TO SETTLE LAWSUIT]
