While we're here, let me just say what I've been thinking for weeks: I hate all these apps and sites whose default behavior is to post which videos/articles a user has viewed without some sort of explicit, per-video or per-article intent to share on the users part. That, in and of itself, is shady. I will remember negatively every brand who has chosen to do this. It doesn't matter that the user installed an app that technically gives the them permission to do it. I'd venture to bet that every single time I've seen this sort of stuff in my timeline, it was totally unintentional.
The best paradigm is for people to specifically share when they want something shared. No one cares what someone is watching generally. Just because they watched it doesn't mean it's worth sharing. It's different when someone watches something and then "likes" it or chooses to share it with their friends.
Because of underhanded news sites and services like SocialCam, it's become my advice to everyone I talk to: "If you don't understand how the technology you're using works, don't do or read anything on the Internet you wouldn't mind everyone on Facebook knowing about." That's a sad place to be.
The concerned geek in me agrees with you on all counts, but I'm afraid this should never be taken as universally true. BUT, I do remember a time when that was not an issue I cared about. I loved the fact that e product knew exactly what it wanted to do– if I liked it, I didn't have to do anything and it would integrate. That was awesome. It's only years later with the realization that all of this data exists somewhere and can be used in nefarious (or really, just annoying) ways– that I began to care. Most of my non-tech friends think the same way. They assume that it's an app on facebook, why wouldn't it tell people what I'm doing?. They're still sensitive to more 'traditional' privacy– i.e. talk to your ex in MESSAGES, not on your wall– but everything else is a feature that is genuinely desired. The devil's advocate says that those who care should either know to turn it off, or be more discriminating with the toys they play with.
The best paradigm is for people to specifically share when they want something shared. No one cares what someone is watching generally. Just because they watched it doesn't mean it's worth sharing. It's different when someone watches something and then "likes" it or chooses to share it with their friends.
Because of underhanded news sites and services like SocialCam, it's become my advice to everyone I talk to: "If you don't understand how the technology you're using works, don't do or read anything on the Internet you wouldn't mind everyone on Facebook knowing about." That's a sad place to be.