Just As Netflix Gets In Trouble For Data Release, MySpace Begins Selling Data

from the lawsuits-a'comin? dept

Mon, Mar 15th 2010 6:57pm — Mike Masnick

So, just last week we noted that Netflix had gotten itself into a bit of hot water for its Netflix prize contest, which used real user data -- which was supposed to be anonymous. Unfortunately, as with most such data, it wasn't really anonymous, and that's illegal -- especially when it comes to movie rental data. Because of all that, Netflix has also canceled plans for a follow-up prize competition. However, just as that happened, reports were coming out that MySpace has begun selling user data. Among the data up for sale? "User playlists, mood updates, mobile updates, photos, vents, reviews, blog posts, names and zipcodes. You would have to imagine that at least some people might not be happy about that.

Now, to be fair, the info you provide MySpace is public -- while the info you provide Netflix is not. However, you could certainly see some people not being particularly thrilled that MySpace is now directly selling that information, and you have to imagine that someone will file a lawsuit before too long over this data.

Update: MySpace PR people sent over word that this content is no different than the free public real-time stream, it's just for those unable to capture it, they can now purchase it in a lump sum via this other site, for which MySpace apparently doesn't make any money...

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Filed Under: selling data, social networks
Companies: myspace, netflix

9 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2010 @ 7:24pm

Is all of the info they plan to "sell" readily avaialble to any member of the public by merely searching the site?
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- Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2010 @ 6:44am
  
  Re:
  Absolutely. See for yourself
  
  http://infochimps.org/datasets/myspace-real-time-api-raw-data-from-february-22-2010
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2010 @ 7:37pm

Well that's it. I just deleted my MySpace account, and in the space they left for comments/reasons, I gave them a piece of my mind.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2010 @ 7:38pm

"Now, to be fair, the info you provide MySpace is public"

If myspace only sells public info and someone was stupid enough to actually buy information they can get for free anyways then I suppose both myspace and the person who bought the information deserve to get sued and lose just for their mere stupidity and the waste of resources they cost our court system.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2010 @ 8:28pm

except it isn't all public, some of that info is supposedly supposed to be able to control who sees it which means it should be private info.
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Daniel, 15 Mar 2010 @ 9:30pm

And I'm sure that everyone who clicked the little "I agree" box when they signed up for a MySpace account gave them full legal rights to do this.

I'd be doubtful that they're opening themselves up for lawsuits... sounds more like a last-ditch effort to wring some money out of a dieing platform.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Mar 2010 @ 11:46pm

If you check the link, you'll see that it's an external aggregator, which has nothing to do with MySpace...they're just using publicly available data. Should MySpace stop them from pulling that data?
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FatGiant (profile), 16 Mar 2010 @ 1:00am

In my opinion this will actually and efectively Kill MySpace.

Never used it much, but, from now on, I'll never use it again, delete the account? What for, I'm already sold. Let them delete that themselves when they kill the site.

Please, the last one to leave, turn off the lights.

Thanks.
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fishbane, 16 Mar 2010 @ 9:38am

Down the drain
If they own any patents, look for a lawsuit soon. They've lost in the market, and are losing their talent, and are now burning any residual goodwill they had for cash.
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