Racism 101: Are you a Racist?

I hate you more than ever. You too, Snopes.

Okay, so the “Explanation” for the stuff listed on the Facebook walls is that they are old conversations from previous years that are now being able to be seen. Snopes has called the “Alleged” private message issue, false.  

Let’s break down the reasons they claim it to be false:

1. Facebook said so. (According to Mashable via CNN)
2. The messages are not in your inbox (According to Josh Constine of TechCrunch)
3. The messages are not one-to-one. (According to NBC’s Tech Team)
4. The users made a mistake (From Facebook’s Policy communications department)
5. The users were not “Savvy” enough to have private conversations (Multiple “Sources”)

I am going to have to automatically throw out items 1 and 4. Facebook started losing their credibility on anything privacy related long before this. Plus, I have zero reason to believe they would do anything but deny this situation. Remember, they have shareholders to answer to now.

Number 2 makes a claim that the things on your wall are not in your inbox. Okay, so there is NO POSSIBLE WAY that the messages were moved from the inbox to the wall without leaving a copy? Is this one even serious? Oh wait! Is that the SAME Josh Constine who has been working closely with Facebook for the last several years? Is that the same…why yes, yes it is.

Number 3 states that the messages are not one-on-one. This one almost gave the situation credence until you realize that even waaaaaaaaaaaay back when, ya know, three WHOLE years ago, before the wall/timeline changed, you could STILL do one-on-one conversations with a person on their wall. So…if this is “Proof” that there are no private messages, isn’t this also proof that these things we’re seeing are also NOT wall posting? Really? Really?

Numbers 4 & 5 are basically the same. They are claiming that because Facebook was a smaller community then, people were more candid with their discussions. This one, I actually would believe if it weren’t for the fact that there is so much blatant denial going on.

For argument’s sake, let’s say they are in fact, old wall posts. If you are now telling me that I may have had an inappropriate conversation and forgotten about it, why not just do a little alert? Make a joke about it. “Hey guys, remember the time before our parents and bosses were on Facebook? Yeah, you may have said some things you don’t want them to see! The new time line updates might show some stuff! Make sure you check it out! Okay?” If for no other reason, to calm down your users.

It could have been a big woopsie that placed ALL blame on the user. Yet, none of this. Only denial. Straight up denial. And WHO is denying? Facebook. WHO is providing the “Sources?” FACEBOOK. 

Now here’s where things get really interesting. There are several people who are saying they have been on FB since 2006 and they don’t have ANYTHING. Not wall posts. Not private messages. Nothing. Soooooo…..does that mean these people had their pages for years and never used it, never had a single post, never had a single person even wish them a happy birthday?

Fuck Facebook and Fuck Snopes. I expected better from both. Well, no that’s a lie. I ONLY expected better form Snopes.

Whether you believe or not, check your time line. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Always.