Research proposal

Two Faced Facebook

Sam Tullius

Dr. Sherwood

English 202 Research Writing

Fall 2009 T TR 12:30-1:45

November 10, 2009

Abstract

            With expansion in use of the internet, it has made social websites, like Facebook, dominant entertainment to many different generations in today's society. The amount of social power Facebook is receiving from the multi-million memberships is almost unbelievable. Is Facebook so large and popular that it has the power to tamper with internet laws and regulations regarding website member's personal information? It is undetermined why Facebook has become so popular even with the privacy threat. Facebook members join even when not fully understanding their rights to information they choose to post. Other members understand the agreement and are alright with giving up privacy to stay social. Facebook is used for many reasons throughout the world, but little is known about how Facebook's privacy is relatively unsteady.

 Introduction

            With the enhanced technology, society is exposed to many ways to stay in communication and overall easy access. Facebook, a popular social website, has over three million members and will continue to grow. The appeal of Facebook has turned into a nationally known website that connects family and friends throughout the globe. People from all generations use Facebook for many different reasons. Some reasons are to sell or buy products, communicate with other members, and to locate old friends in the past. Facebook, which was created by a college student, has been pulled into plenty of legal issues regarding their privacy policy. Is Facebook's privacy policy inaccurate or are the members using Facebook unaware of the agreement and/or how to operate their profile? Facebook memberships are free to join, but are costly to remove. In the process of joining Facebook, members are required to read a statement that allows the user to fully understand all liabilities and responsibilities.

            Facebook members who do not understand the statement or know how to operate Facebook will most likely post personal information. The information that members post is property of Facebook and entitled to all rights. Facebook users complain about their personal privacy being violated and their information should not be displayed for all other members to see. It has become a problem whether Facebook's policy statement is unreliable, or Facebook users are illiterate on the web.

 Fieldwork Statement

            For the primary research source peers and people of different generations will fill out a survey with questions regarding Facebook and their knowledge of Facebook. Also, some questions will be on the survey asking about their opinion of internet privacy and how Facebook violates their privacy if any at all. With a minimum of ten surveys completed within a range of different age groups and races the information given will help explain some reasoning about why Facebook is so greatly used and what the majority of people actually know about the legal issues with Facebook. The survey would be the best way because it would be a personal response to people who are members of Facebook and use Facebook during their daily lives. Any other way to obtain this information would not be as of efficient.

Source Review/ Conversations

            As a result of Facebook becoming more like a monopoly, many users do not completely understand their rules and policies. Other Facebook members that are aware of the rules and policies may be willing to give up their privacy to maintain social. The survey used will first hand ask students, parents, and teens to voice their opinion about Facebook and how it could violate privacy. The survey will be efficient because the results are directly from Facebook members and the information they give. Some sources consist of articles that explain many issues Facebook has dealt with due to privacy. Court cases dealing with Facebook violating their privacy policy shows that Facebook has had more than one altercation with the law. Other articles explain what Facebook has done since their violations and how they plan to fix them for the future. Facebook's ideas of change to their privacy policy are positive, but yet they still seem to push the line between legal and illegal. As Facebook continues to grow, many users will be uneducated about the internet making the public society extremely vulnerable. Is Facebook violating privacy or do Facebook members allow Facebook to invade their privacy? Sources include legal knowledge, Facebook users input, and reasons Facebook remains to grow in today's society.

 Working Bibliography

Internet Privacy History-

1. Lyon, D. and Zureik, E. (eds.) 1996. Computers Surveillance and Privacy.(Minneapolis:                                                                                                               University of Minn. Press).
2.  http://www.facebook.com/policy.php
3. http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/
4. Connolly, J. Kevin, 2004. Law of Internet Security and Privacy.(Aspen Publishers).
5. Solove, J. Daniel. The Future of Reputation: gossip, rumor, and privacy on the internet. (Vail-Ballou Press) 2007.

Facebook Survey-

1. 10-15 completed surveys by Facebook members

Academic Studies-

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7428833.stm
2. http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/archive/2007/11/29/facebook-s-misrepresentation-of-beacon-s-threat-to-privacy-tracking-users-who-opt-out-or-are-not-logged-in.aspx
3. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/technology/11facebook.html?_r=3&ref=business&oref=slogin. New York Times Magazine.