It appears that I have been very hasty. In a previous post, I suggested that Bebo.com had broken their privacy statement, and that I was receiving an increase in spam as a result. Since then I performed a small experiement. With the help of davee from #lugradio I registered a GMail account. I left it for 48 hours, and then registered with Bebo.com again. In the following 48 hours I have not received any spam, and thus I have concluded that they were not responsible for my previous outbreak.
Apologies again. (Although I still think it’s ridiculous that _I_ have to register to be on someone else’s addressbook)
mrBen
My one big concern with these services (plaxo is another one) are does the contact database count as part of the assets of the company, and does the privacy guarantee carry if the company is sold?
The current owner of the business may not sell his soul (and you addy) to the spammers but what about the guys that buys him out, or the guy his assets are sold to if his business model fails.
mrBen – Plaxo does not require someone to register in order to update a friend.
As for the concern about what happens to the information maintained if the business is sold or goes bankrupt, this doesn’t change the privacy policies. Enforcement of privacy policies in the US falls under the jurisdiction of the FTC, and as they have demonstrated in the past, privacy policies stay with the information it was collected with. Even if the company is acquired or sold. Please see the case of FTC vs. Toysmart as an example (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/07/toysmart2.htm).
Stacy – I didn’t mention Plaxo – in fact I have never heard of them. Thanks fot the comment though
I mentioned Plaxo in a previous comment, as far as I could see from the irritating spew of email I had from a couple of contacts that used the service they offered a similar product to bebo.
Isn’t it amazing just how quickly they found and responded to a lowly comment in your prestigious blog (a quick google on Stacy Martin plaxo reveals this may be something they spend a lot of time doing). I feel honoured, then just a little afraid.
Thanks Stacy, it’s nice to know the FCC are going to look after us all and our data, just hope no one in China buys you out:)
I just looked at Bebo’s FAQand this is what it says about Aquisition:
Acquisition. It is possible that as we continue to develop our website and our business, Bebo’s service and/or related assets might be acquired. Notwithstanding any provision in this policy to the contrary, in event of a merger or acquisition, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, and become subject to the acquirer’s data practices.