Facebook takes a stand against developers selling user names

Facebook has made a clear statement to developers that sell user names and contact lists: they will be punished.

Developers found to be selling information to data brokers per an investigation of a web browser bug that let users' identifications to be shared, have been banned for six months from connecting to Facebook and will be audited in the future.

On a blog post that appeared on October 29, Facebook said it will not tolerate this type of action.

“Facebook has never sold and will never sell user information. We also have zero tolerance for data brokers because they undermine the value that users have come to expect from Facebook,” read part of the post.

It has acknowledged that developers may need to share a “unique identifier” externally from their application, like an advertiser, and is laying plans to release a  functionality next week they are required to use to share anonymous identifiers for this specifically.

The requirement goes into full effect as of January 1, 2011.