Facebook Knew I Was Gay Before My Family Did

This has implications for the privacy of messages shared on Facebook, and should give each of us pause.

When Matt (last name withheld for privacy) logged onto Facebook earlier this week, he was startled by the placement of a seemingly impossible ad on his News Feed: a rainbow-underwear-adorned banner for Rick Clemons (the California-based, self-appointed “Coming Out Coach”) that read, “COMING OUT? NEED HELP?”

Matt (who lives on the East Coast) did need help coming out. But as far as he knew, there was only one other person in the world who knew that but him.

Matt told BuzzFeed FWD in an email:

As many LGBT individuals know, for a time, the most closely held secret we have is our sexuality. Several nights ago, I texted a close and dear friend for advice on revealing such sensitive personal information. The next morning, I woke up to a “sponsored story” on my Facebook page that asked “Coming Out? Need help?” How did Facebook know such a specific ad would apply to my profile?

via Facebook Knew I Was Gay Before My Family Did.

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Dropify Launches File Publishing App for Facebook

This is one of those apps that if you don’t have a use for it, you will develop one.

If you’re a musician, designer or anyone who regularly offers free downloads, here’s one app you may find useful to promote your wares on Facebook. Dropify comes courtesy of Germany-based Hike Social Apps, and integrates with Facebook to “make file downloads more social”, as it puts it.“Dropify changes the game of file downloads,” says co-founder and CEO, Chris Striepecke, ambitiously. “We provide a fun way for people to both publish and discover awesome free files. We make files social.”

via Dropify Launches File Publishing App for Facebook.

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• Dropify: Embed any file on Facebook for friends and fans to download directly (thenextweb.com)
• dropify Launch – A Startup I’m Excited About (andrewhy.de)
• dropify Launches: Promote Files on Facebook (hackfwd.com)