That title is misleading. Facebook isn't selling access to anyone's Inbox. They are selling the ability to purchase the right to send messages to non-friends. Using the strict filter setting, the messages (like PMs) go to an "Other" folder rather than as they would in a private conversation with a friend. Apparently, the Other folder has been there all along.
Yes, the first thing is to use an alternate e-mail address. Unless you're a well known person who is using FB to publicize their work (i.e., Mark Russinovich), make your posts visible to friends only or even a custom list. Just like with Google and Hotmail, I refuse to list my cell phone as an alternate method of getting a password reset.
Of course, Facebook is about money. They aren't going to donate all that server space. When family members are spread across the U.S. & Canada, Facebook is a convenient way to share news and pictures.
A Guy, do you mean e-mail notices? I have my settings so I don't receive any e-mails.
I know, but my point was not from that misconception. For $1 (rumored) you can PM anybody, even if they don't want to see messages from that person.
Of course, Facebook is about money. They aren't going to donate all that server space. When family members are spread across the U.S. & Canada, Facebook is a convenient way to share news and pictures.
I don't see a problem with that, I see a problem with it's wrong uses. I understand why facebook is free, and things like this, help keep it free, but when you start fooling around with people's privacy to generate money to keep it free, that's overstepping the boundaries in my opinion. Same thing Instagram tried to do. And how much goes on in the background that people do not know about? They aren't going to publicize all of the stuff that they don't want you to know.
This is my opinion though.
For some, a facebook profile is like an online home. All their pictures and information are on their profile. Would
you want someone being able to buy access to step in the front door to your home just to tell you something? A little extreme for the comparison, but that's almost what it would be like. Some people don't want a million messages from any unknown user.
Why, would they not be able to ask for a friend request first? And then if accepted PM the user instead of bypassing those now (somewhat) irrelevant privacy settings from your user account for who can contact you? If they don't add you as a friend, chances are they do not want to talk to you. Simple :thumbsup2: