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Facebook uncovers user data sales

Admire Moyo
By Admire Moyo, ITWeb's news editor.
Johannesburg, 02 Nov 2010

Facebook uncovers user data sales

Facebook has taken action against developers it caught selling user names and contact lists, says the BBC.

The sales were uncovered as Facebook investigated a Web browser bug that let user IDs be shared inadvertently.

The user details were sold to data brokers who used the information to target adverts more precisely. The developers have been banned for six months from connecting to Facebook and must be audited to check they comply with the social network's policies.

Google, US govt in legal showdown

Google and the US government are headed for a legal showdown, but on different sides of the courtroom than one might expect, according to CNet.

Eric Goldman, a law professor with Santa Clara University who closely follows the tech industry, spotted a lawsuit filed by Google against the federal government claiming the US Department of the Interior did not properly evaluate Google Apps when choosing a new Web-based document system.

Google alleges that because the interior department specified that the system needed to be part of Microsoft's Business Productivity Online Suite, Google Apps never had a chance despite repeated attempts by Google to explain the product.

Microsoft in programmer backlash

Microsoft is facing a wave of disbelief and anger from Windows programmers after saying it is demoting the would-be Flash-killer Silverlight for HTML5, reports the Register.

Server and tools president Bob Muglia apologised for any “controversy and confusion” caused by comments in an interview last week, when he said Microsoft has shifted its strategy of using Silverlight to deliver a cross-platform runtime.

In a refreshing twist for a corporate president, Muglia said the interview in which he made the comments, with All-about-Microsoft's Mary-Jo Foley, was accurate.

YouTube co-founder calls it quits

YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley is stepping down as chief executive of the online video-sharing Web site, states the BBC.

Google bought the YouTube Web site in 2006 for $1.65 billion and since then has been asserting more control over the popular site.

In a statement, Hurley said Google's Salar Kamangar had led YouTube's daily operations for the past two years, while he had worked in an advisory role.

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