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Facebook says it is ending its research program on Apple devices, just hours after @JoshConstine's story on TechCrunch. FB takes issue with a couple of details that have been reported. Added this new statement: 
Absurdly, the detail about them ending the program on Apple came "on background" from a Facebook spokesperson, meaning I can't directly quote what was shared. I've asked them to reconsider this approach on such an important detail.
If I had the energy I'd ask them to reconsider this approach full stop, frankly.
Another update relating to consent. FB statement said teens had provided parental consent before using the program. I asked FB what exactly that meant - signed form, scanned? - they said the vendors handled it. For at least one of the vendors, consent was basically a checkbox.
Moving quickly along the FB PR crisis timeline, folks:
- Story breaks (well done @JoshConstine) ✅
- "They consented!" ✅
- "Nothing to see here, but we're stopping it..." ✅
- Angrily dispute certain details, ignore substance ✅
- Stamos?
- "We owe it to our users to do better."
- Story breaks (well done @JoshConstine) ✅
- "They consented!" ✅
- "Nothing to see here, but we're stopping it..." ✅
- Angrily dispute certain details, ignore substance ✅
- Stamos?
- "We owe it to our users to do better."
On background, I'm now going home to bed.
I thought I'd see how robust the parental control for Facebook's programme is. In less than five minutes I was able to sign up as a 14-year-old boy... with two kids. It required no proof of parental consent at all. I've just been sent a link to download the iOS app.
Facebook's statement, less than an hour ago: "less than 5 percent of the people who chose to participate in this market research program were teens. All of them with signed parental consent forms."
Oh, and just one more thing - Facebook reports its quarterly earnings later today.
