[Webpub] Facebookgate and College Prowler

[Lisa Mayer]

A great play by play on how Brad Ward, Director of E-Comm at Butler University, uncovered "Facebookgate". I've included an excerpt from his blog below...

A colleague asked him to investigate a couple users that started a ‘Class of 2013′ within their Facebook network. Mr. Ward found a startling trend - the usernames were popping up on class groups from coast to coast at private and public universities. 

http://squaredpeg.com/index.php/2008/12/18/facebook-pay-attention/

"...See how many times those names appear in admin for these groups, and look at their friends and see how many times those names pop up.  A LOT. This isn’t just the Common App Effect, where students apply to every school under the sun. These people aren’t interested in going to every school they have started a group for. No, this is an inside ring with a common purpose.  They don’t always create the group, but they do always get in, friend someone, and get control rights.
 
You might have the same thought I had at first.  I responded to Megan, “That is very interesting. I don’t really see where squatting could be beneficial. After all, the students who join and participate will steer the group in whatever direction they take it.  I’ve never heard of anything like that.”
 
Sure, not for one school. Not for tiny little Butler, with 900 incoming students.
 
But for 500+ schools? Owning the admin rights to groups equaling easily 1,000,000+ freshman college students? 

That’s huge. 

Think of it: Sitting back for 8-10 months, (even a few years), maybe friending everyone and posing as an incoming student.  Think of the data collection. The opportunities down the road to push affiliate links.  The opportunity to appear to be an ‘Admin’ of Your School Class of 2013. The chance to message alumni down the road.  The list of possibilities goes on and on and on.
 
I’ve said many times, step back and let the student group start on its own.   Today, I change that position.  It seems that we have been gamed, and we need to at least own the admin rights to the group in an effort to protect our incoming students. To end the possibility of them being pushed ads and “buy these sheets for college” stuff this summer.  You know there is a motive behind all of this. And you know it has to do with money.  And you KNOW you’re going to get calls about it when it happens."


Lisa C. Mayer
Web and Database Consultant, DCAD
Information Services and Technology (IS&T)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Room N42-240C
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-452-4225
lmayer at mit.edu