The conflict for online information control pitting Google vs. Facebook has returned within the media, writes the Guardian. Facebook isn’t really playing fair when it comes to allowing a free flow of data, says Google. In short, Google has criticized Facebook because people that use the social network can’t export their communication data to other programs in an efficient manner. To make Facebook comprehend the gravity of this issue, Google has banned Facebook from using its information feed for Gmail contacts.
Google gets to Facebook so Facebook gets past Google
Google’s hard-line data stance against Facebook temporarily prevented Facebook users from being able to import or invite contacts from Google services via the automated path. Not one to take things lying down, Facebook responded with a hack that effectively enabled its users to reach over the Google roadblock. Without leaving Facebook, new users could be able to download and upload a file of all Google contacts.
Facebook's move "disappointed" Google's Data Liberation Front, reports the Guardian. This is the group of company engineers there specifically to make sure that details from Google products for Google users are easy to move. Google corporate made a statement. It said:
“We’re disappointed that Facebook didn’t invest their time in making it possible for their users to get their contacts out of Facebook. As passionate believers that people should be able to control the data they create, we will continue to allow our users to export their Google contacts.”
There are no comments from Facebook.
Will this escalate the Great Online Data War?
"In war, truth is the first casualty," Greet dramatist Aeschylus, who lived from 525 BC to 456 BC, said. The probably scenario is the Great Online Data War – Google vs. Facebook – does not have one clear party within the right or in the wrong. Decisions made by Google and Facebook will benefit themselves. They don't care about anything else. This recent skirmish between the online titans makes it seem as if Facebook simply doesn’t want to provide an escape route for its users, but Google could simply be trying to find an opening in Facebook through which it can extend a new battering ram within the rumored Google Me service.
Articles cited
The Guardian
guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/nov/08/google-facebook-gmail-contacts-data
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