Yeah, so… Facebook, blah… Privacy… blah… Zuckerberg… blah…
It’s all been said before in these past couple of weeks, and with much more attention to detail than I currently have time for. So I’ll get to the point…
My Facebook settings are as public as a “date” with George Michael. I run an online business, write all over the web and have a digital footprint the size of Peter Crouch’. I seriously lack the emotional energy to pay attention to the intricacies of ringfenced data settings. So I don’t. (Anyways, I was working in search before 2006 and can recall the AOL’ “whoops there go our search logs” debacle.) In truth, a checkbox is no guarantee to privacy.
One guy who does seem to care about his (Facebook) privacy it seems, is Peter Andre. Why would I know this? Well; because for some strange reason, Facebook keeps suggesting to me that we be friends.
I give you my solemn word that I have in no way doctored this image, save to remove details from my friends, who may have differing views to my own when it comes to their personal privacy.
I first saw this suggestion about ten days ago, and initially thought I was seeing an advert for Peter’s fan page (assuming he has one). However his charming face popped up again yesterday and this time I paid closer attention.
What Is Going On Here?
I had previously assumed that the “Suggestions” box on the right hand of one’s homepage, utilised a basic algorithm which would naturally include variables such as; number of friends in common, number of “interactions” with said common friends, and perhaps other elements of commonality such as University or Location.
As you can see, Peter and I have zero friends in common, which is a shame as from the one time I saw that Katie and Peter thing, he was doing a huge barbeque. (Oh..! maybe I “like” barbequeues. Quick check. Nope!)
So, I’m thinking that Peter must have some sort of totally public sponsored profile that I simply haven’t heard of, however when I click the link to visit Peter’s profile I’m told…
As we can see, Peter only shares certain information with everyone. (Really?) However if I “know” Peter, I can “add him as a friend on Facebook.”
Know Peter? Of course I don’t know Peter. I spend my life analysing search logs. What could we possibly have in common? (Apart from the BBQ thing…)
So what the feck is going on here? Have I missed some completely obvious major Facebook announcement about celebrity profiles or something? Has anyone else noticed any bizzarre or celebrity friend suggestions? Can anyone think of any reason why Facebook might be inferring commonality betwixt myself and the Andre?
It’s Insania!
I’ve never seen that before, although I have noticed recently more and more suggestions for people where we only have 1 friend in common.
Although, I’m sure I read somewhere that if you click on someone’s profile more than 1000 times and buy all their albums, Facebook will start suggesting them as a friend….
I am also seeing more random +1 suggestions too but this is seriously THE ONLY suggestion for someone with whom I have no appparant connection… (erm…yet).
Interesting.
Think it could be something relating to interests? It’s been suggested that I know Amy Dumas (ex WWE Wrestler), though Facebook points out that there’s no connections.
Not implying you’re a Peter Andre fan, of course
Same hairdresser?
@Rhys – I checked my interests and maybe it is my love of Kath and Kim that is shared by Mr. Andre. Both being Australia’s finest.
@Stu – that’s the most likely suggestion thus far
I think you’ll find thats a bogus facebook profile for Peter Andre! His actual facebook page is very different (linked from his web site).
Its just facebook suggesting people by tags, it happens all the time!
Perhaps you really are that Mysterious girl he has been banging on about all these years, do these lines mean anything to you?
I stop and stare at you
Walking on the shore
I try to concentrate
My mind wants to explore?
Or perhaps this may jog your memory?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Mysterious girl
I wanna get close to you
Oh, oh, oh, oh ,oh, oh
Mysterious girl
My personal favorite
a lalalala long?
Either way its happening more and more and I would bet my left leg that’s it not him and someone trying to get contacts for marketing reasons!!
@Alan – you have shattered yet another of my dreams.