Until recently I was under the impression that Facebook’s Friend Finder would suggests friends based on common friends or on common schools or employers.  That had been the bulk of the suggested friends I was getting.

Click to view full sizeA few weeks ago, I noticed that Facebook had started suggesting people that I know that had no common Facebook friends with me.  They had no common schools either.  What we did have in common was an employer but I have not included employment information in Facebook.  Facebook no longer seems to say why someone is being suggested.

Last week Twitter friend @lightfoot wondered how Facebook was suggesting two friends that she had no idea was on Facebook but whom she emails often.  I suggested that it was because Facebook kept email addresses from her address book when she allowed Facebook to search it the find friends on the network.  At the time, I was not completely sure that this was the case.  As of last night, however, I am sure.  Facebook suggested a person as a friend that I have emailed only once.  This person was someone I met in the Dominican Republic last year who gave me his email address to send him the picture he requested that I take of him (believe it or not this happens a lot).  There is no way possible that I have any connection to him other than that one email and photo.

I took a look at the Friend Finder page to see what was included about how the service works.

Facebook Find Friends

It clearly states that it will not store your password but you have to click the “Learn More” link to find out what it does with the data it uploads from your address book. It says that the data is used to find and suggest friends and it mentions that the data is stored.

Facebook Friend Finder

Facebook does, however, allow you to delete that data.

Remove Contact Friend Finder

If you don’t want Facebook holding on to that data, you should delete it as soon as possible.  Disclaimer: I have not yet read the terms of service to verify that “remove” really means “remove”.

Contacts Removed Friend Finder

It can be argued that if one gives Facebook access to one’s address book then he or she deserves whatever happens.  The problem with this argument is that people allow access to their data without knowing what will actually be done with that data or how long it will be stored.  That said it’s a good idea to read the small print before giving up your data.

Update 6/23: After deleting my stored contact information on Facebook, the service seems to be on overdrive recommending friends to me that are from my address book (three new ones today).  Apparently, this information was not deleted.  It’s best not to let Facebook have access at all.

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