Facebook games and privacy

This piece is a simple vent of my frustration at "casual games" in particular those tied in with social networking sites. My problems with these games are not the "they suck and are not real games" or "if you play these you're not a gamer" issues that are common, nor do I care if you decide to dedicate hours a day to Farmville.

Rather what I find to be the main issue is the ability, or in most cases requirement, these games and apps have for taking personal information associated with the social network sites involved. In reference to Facebook, of which I am more familiar, these games often come with a small disclaimer when you begin to use them, or sync them with your Facebook. It is here where they say things along the lines of "you totally want to get this game", "give us the ability to post on your news feed (read: spam your friends to oblivion)" and most often include "allow us access to your account, including any friends' information that is available to you". It is on this last point where I draw the line.

The first condition I have no issue with, play what you like, it is your life. The second, whilst annoying, is easy to remedy because you can block the spam the first time it shows up, often with the ability to block all of the company's apps not just the one. However I find the third condition is a gross invasion of privacy. My right to chose who has access to anything I have posted is usurped by the simple click of a mouse. The friend may have done this unwittingly or they may be fully aware of the conditions of use. However it should not be their right to do this, intentionally or otherwise.

 Either way the company now has complete access to what I allow this friend to see, which used to be a lot more information before the latest change privacy settings. Whilst this can be avoided by the user it is only if they have the strictest privacy setting on their account, such as being not publically searchable. But why should the game user's friends have to inconvenience themselves, and anyone genuinely searching for them, to opt out in the first place? The Consent for these applications should be modified so that if the user wishes to subscribe, they can give only their own information to the company. If their friend wishes to use the product then they too can opt in, rather than having to go off the radar to everyone simply to avoid these applications. Another method would be to give the users' friends a notification that someone has signed up to an app, and if they would like to allow it access to their information too.

Now I detest these applications because I personally adore personal rights and speak of privacy qua negative rights. As such, I and am of the position that it should not be infringed upon by anyone without the direct consent of the person in question.

However this rant may have real world consequences. Now these companies often have statements saying, roughly, 'any information obtained will not be on sold'. While this may seem reassuring, think back to the problems SONY had when the PS3 Network's information was hacked. Even if the proprietors of these games are legitimate and have no malicious intent, what stops their information collection skills from being utilised by less desirable members of the internet society?