Facebook Let Netflix Peek into Your Private Messages, Ended Streaming to Please Their Advertising Ally: Lawsuit
In a surprising revelation from a legal battle that has tongues wagging and thumbs scrolling, Facebook, now known as Meta, has been brought into the spotlight for granting Netflix, yes the binge-watching sanctuary, access to its users’ private messages. This eyebrow-raising detail emerged from a lawsuit accusing Facebook of not playing fair in the tech sandbox.
A Shocking Decision: Facebook’s Streaming Dreams Drowned
Remember when Facebook tried to dip its toes into the streaming service ocean with original shows like “Sorry for Your Loss”? It seemed like Facebook was onto something, possibly even giving platforms like YouTube and Netflix a run for their money with its Facebook Watch. But, as quickly as it began, Facebook announced in April that it was throwing in the towel – no more original shows, no more Facebook Watch app.
Many thought this was just another cutback, as Meta was already tightening its belt due to financial pressures. But court documents recently made public hint at a different story. They suggest that the decision was less about cost-saving and more about keeping Netflix, one of Facebook’s largest advertisers, in high spirits.
The Alleged Netflix Privileges
The claims against Facebook, now Meta, are serious. Going back to 2013, Netflix supposedly gained special access to something called the “Facebook Extended API” agreements. This included an “Inbox API” agreement which sounds as invasive as it gets – giving Netflix the ability to peek into Facebook users’ private messages. All this, allegedly, in exchange for Netflix sending Facebook a fortnightly report on user interactions with recommendations sent through messages.
But it doesn’t stop there. Netflix was also reportedly given access to the “Titan API”, which basically allowed them to access not just the messaging app friends but non-app friends as well. One can only imagine what Netflix did or could do with such information.
Meta and Netflix: What They Say
While Meta has stated that all personal chats and calls on Messenger and Facebook have had end-to-end encryption since December, the bean-spilling reports suggest otherwise. And despite Facebook’s claims of not using private messages for ad targeting, major publications have reported on documents showing platforms like Netflix and Spotify had the ability to read Facebook users’ private messages.
Meta, when asked to comment, has remained tight-lipped, only mentioning their current standard agreements with Netflix but dodging questions on the specifics of these allegations. Netflix, on the other hand, seems to be out of the hot seat for now, directing all queries back to Meta.
What This Means for You
The thought of private messages not being so private after all is unsettling, to say the least. Users often trust these platforms with personal conversations, believing in the security promised by these tech giants. The allegations put forward in this lawsuit peel back another layer of the tech industry’s operations, showcasing a tangled web of alliances and backdoor agreements.
As this case continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Meta responds to these serious allegations and whether any repercussions will follow for either Meta or Netflix. For now, users may start to wonder what other conversations “big tech” has been invited to.
In the digital age, the line between private and public continues to blur, making cases like these a stark reminder of the power wielded by tech giants, and the importance of transparent and ethical practices in handling user data.