Facebook Looks To Control User Data

"As Facebook traffic climbs to new heights, the site also is taking steps to keep control over its most valuable asset -- users' data. "

"it's hard to know whether Facebook users will react well to Facebook's flexing of muscle here. The site is still drawing new users; on Christmas Eve it garnered its highest share of traffic ever, according to Hitwise. With every new user, Facebook potentially gains access to a trove of information that can be used for marketing and advertising purposes.Facebook obviously wants to control the flow of that information, ranging from users' email addresses to their tastes in movies and music. But if the site takes enough heavy-handed actions that undermine features members find useful, people might not stick around on the site for long."

MediaPost Publications - Facebook Looks To Control User Data - 01/05/2009