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What do you mean you don't know how hey get away with it? How do you think Facebook pays for itself? They could probably offer an ads free version for money, but who'd pay?

...I'm not a whole lot clued into what goes on in the major marketing corporations, but I'd imagine geolocation data of almost one billion people, their interests, who their friends are (and what they 'like') is worth a fortune.

By "Getting away with it" I meant that it's getting a bit ridiculous having ads in your news feed, isn't the section on the right of the page enough space? ... it's annoying (for me anyway).

Ya, I know I'm using their platform and at the same time bitching when they serve me ads which looks dumb I agree - there's too much screen space being used now with the Sponsored Stories imo

Just stop using it. They aren't forcing you to tell them where you are, or to upload your holiday photos. It is entirely voluntary. That's why Facebook privacy debates are so amusing - don't want strangers/your ex/rapists knowing where you live or what your kids look like? Don't put it on the web then!

Quote from CSU1 :

Ya, I know I'm using their platform and at the same time bitching when they serve me ads which looks dumb I agree - there's too much screen space being used now with the Sponsored Stories imo

Yes, you are being dumb.

Ads in news feeds probably have a high click-through rate, so it's a no-brainer to have them there.

If you think it's too invasive go sign up for Bebo

Quote from CSU1 :

...I'm not a whole lot clued into what goes on in the major marketing corporations, but I'd imagine geolocation data of almost one billion people, their interests, who their friends are (and what they 'like') is worth a fortune.

Except, who's buying that data? Loads of big web companies "must be worth billions" and yet actually don't make much money or have any assets (like Myspace)

Quote from tristancliffe :

Just stop using it. They aren't forcing you to tell them where you are, or to upload your holiday photos. It is entirely voluntary. That's why Facebook privacy debates are so amusing - don't want strangers/your ex/rapists knowing where you live or what your kids look like? Don't put it on the web then!

Why stop using it when I can turn it off? I don't care if my data is used, they can have it...I never said I didnt like them using it I was point out to you that Ads is a side-gig for them the user data is where is dough is at.

Quote from Jakg :

Except, who's buying that data? Loads of big web companies "must be worth billions" and yet actually don't make much money or have any assets (like Myspace)

...any scenario where business A physically places assets to hamper business B's sales is who's buying the data...the scenario's are endless and data wort billions indeed.

They can have my data but they wont serve me ads too...dont get me wrong, I can handle other ads such ads TV/newspaper where I know this is their only form of income....Facebook are getting too greedy imo.

Facebook could be greedy but that's also reason why YOU don't have to pay for using it. Anyway thanks for the hint how to hide the ads, I will use it too.