Is Google Defriending Facebook?
November 7, 2010
Reported in the article “Google blocks Facebook from its Contacts”, Google will cease to allow Facebook ready access to user’s Gmail address books. In a new Terms of Service adjustment, the offer of Google’s Contacts API is restricted only to sites that are willing to return the favor.
Google maintains that despite this policy revision, its commitment lies in providing a high level of accessibility to the data users pitch up. What Google has yet to recognize is that even a modestly savvy user will doubtfully be able to pull off the proposed workaround.
So, says Google, “We have decided to change our approach slightly to reflect the fact that users often aren’t aware that once they have imported their contacts into sites like Facebook they are effectively trapped.”
Interesting take. Most Facebook users would probably not be troubled to learn the information sharing is one-way, but these same individuals will almost certainly miss a stripped service they have already adopted as handy. For Google to imply its user’s best interest is the primary concern appears to be a farce. What is more likely is the corporate giant is not handling rejection well.
Has the sizable portion of Google defectors made Facebook a target? Or does Google only give to receive? It isn’t difficult to translate either scenario into playground semantics. So just like Apple and Oracle before, now Google is bullying Facebook. Maybe defriending is a gentle approach to a legal tussle?
Sarah Rogers, November 7, 2010
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