When it comes to tracking web users across the web, no one does it more than Google and Facebook. Those two companies filled out the top five spots in Evidon's Global Tracker Report, which was released on Tuesday. The report uses data from the 1.6 million users of Evidon's Ghostery web browser plugin, which monitors what tracking scripts/tags/etc. are installed on web pages. Evidon's data shows that Google products are Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 8 (DoubleClick), as well as No. 17 overall (AdWords). Facebook, meanwhile, has the 3rd and 5th most-prolific trackers. (Image via PC World) It s [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Consumer | Facebook: Privacy | Google: Privacy | Legal: Privacy | Top News

This morning the Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook is considering letting those under the age of 13 on the site.  Since day one, Facebook has always been accessible for teenagers or adults.  one of the biggest issues with those under the age of 13 who are using Facebook by using false information is that they do put themselves at risk due to their permission levels.  Giving children significantly reduced permission levels and monitoring could help circumvent issues of  forged accounts. CBS news also reports: The company is testing a way to connect kids' accounts with thei [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Industry | Facebook | Facebook: Legal | Facebook: Marketing | Facebook: Privacy

Google's CEO Larry Page made an apperance on Charlie Rose yesterday, and he didn't have many nice things to say about Facebook.  Rose asked Page about Facebook's competition in search which led to an exchange about Facebook's semi-closed policy on contact information. Page was quick to point out that Facebook users are not aware that they are inputting information in that they can't take out.  Additionally, Page went on to say that this policy was unfortunate and that Facebook may be forced to share this in the near future. In regards to working with Facebook?  The Google CEO st [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Consumer | Facebook | Facebook: Privacy | Google | Google: Privacy | Legal: Privacy | Top News

I had assumed, as did many others, that Facebook shares would open at $38 and head north from there. In fact I thought demand would be so brisk that the shares might hit $100. Was I wrong. I believed there was considerable pent-up demand for what was the biggest tech IPO ever. But that demand never fully materialized. Everyone that wanted to buy Facebook got a chance. Still, at the close today Facebook was worth roughly $105 billion. And CEO Mark Zuckerberg is worth more than Google's co-founders individually. In the final run up to the IPO, Facebook floated more shares than it had or [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Industry | Facebook: Advertising | Facebook: Marketing | Facebook: Privacy | Top News

As announced on the Twitter Twitter account and further explained by the New York Times, Twitter becomes another high-profile publisher that supports Do Not Track. The actual "Do Not Track" functionality is accomplished via the browser. Right now the system is voluntary for publishers, who must recognize and respect the user request to opt out of cookies or other tracking. Internet Explorer from Microsoft offers a similar capability. Chrome does not currently support Do Not Track, though Google has said it will in the future. The Federal Trade Commission's CTO, Ed Felten, just mention [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Industry | Facebook: Business Issues | Facebook: Privacy | Social Media Marketing | Top News | Twitter

I've heard a few rants against Facebook and Google in my time, but listening to Truthdig's Robert Scheer say on Friday that Facebook is involved with a "denial of basic human rights" was really a new over-the-top one. Scheer is an old-school veteran journalist. He has several books to his credit, is a professor of journalism at the University of Southern California and editor-in-chief of the Truthdig web site, motto: "Drilling beneath the headlines." He was speaking on Left, Right & Center, a program on the well-known Southern California public radio station of KCRW. I happened to c [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Industry | Facebook: Privacy | Features & Analysis | Google: Critics | Legal: Privacy