With the introduction of Facebook Home due to launch in the US on Friday 12th April, the argument of web privacy has re-emerged amid claims this new ”App” will change the way we interact with the internet, online applications and our friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances, all through the use of our mobile phones.
Targeting Androids
Facebook Home replaces your standard Android home screen and immerses you in the Facebook experience, complete with full screen photos, status updates and notifications. The “Home” home screen experience focuses on Cover Feed, which provides a stream of stories / updates you can sit back and watch.
“Home” is the perfect platform for Facebook to sell more ads and track its users, with every action conducted on your mobile device captured for the attention of your “friends” and more targeted advertising.
Selling your Soul?
For the true social network addict there really will be no reason to leave “Home”, however critics are concerned that installing this function will lead to the erosion of privacy, with “Home” gathering data about users that should not otherwise be readily available.
Like or Dislike?
The software will be downloadable from the Google Play Store from Friday in the US, with release to other regions imminent. No comment has been made as yet, as to whether release of the functionality to Apple or Microsoft devices has been planned. The real question is however – Will Zuckerberg’s attempt at Facebook domination win out?