At first it was the social media bunch raising a (well-deserved) stink over Facebook's lack of privacy stunts. The uneasy feeling towards Facebook has picked up speed and as of a few minutes ago, came to my inbox from the group, MoveOn.org. It's interesting to see who is getting involved.

The Facebook group created by MoveOn has already reached over 147,000 members. Have you or are you planning on showing protest against Facebook? Or could you care less? 

Here is the email I received:

Dear MoveOn Member,

Yesterday, in the face of massive public criticism, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced his company's big new plan for protecting user privacy.

One problem: they haven't said they will stop giving away users' information without first asking permission.¹ What kind of privacy protection is that?

Facebook says they will make their privacy controls less confusing, but that alone is not nearly enough to protect user privacy.

Facebook is clearly feeling the heat, but now is a crucial moment to show that users won't be satisfied until they stop giving away our personal data to corporations like Microsoft without getting our opt-in permission first.

That's why we're asking you to set your Facebook status today to read:  Mark Zuckerberg: Privacy is a matter of safety and security, not personal preference. Stop giving my information to 3rd parties without my opt-in permission http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

After you've updated your status, click here to join the "Facebook: Respect my privacy" Facebook group:

http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

Privacy isn't just a personal preference—it's a matter of personal safety and financial security. When Facebook shares our information without opt-in permission, they increase the risk of identity theft.² Facebook is fun, but it's not worth making yourself an easy mark for Internet crime.

On Friday, we got another scary reminder of Facebook's problems with privacy. The Wall Street Journal found that Facebook had accidentally leaked the names, ages, and other personal information about users to advertisers like Google and Yahoo.³ It's just another example of how Facebook plays fast and loose with our personal information.

We need to keep the pressure on until Facebook promises to stop sharing our information without opt-in permission.

You can help by setting your Facebook status today to say: Mark Zuckerberg: Privacy is a matter of safety and security, not personal preference. Stop giving my information to 3rd parties without my opt-in permission http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

After you've updated your status, click here to join the "Facebook: Respect my privacy" Facebook group:

http://j.mp/RespectPrivacy

Thanks for all you do.

–Steven, Milan, Kat, Amy, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Admits Privacy Gaffes," ABC News, May 24, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88436&id=20654-10842771-nNgjDAx&t=1

2. "Consumer Reports Survey: 52 Percent of Social Network Users Post Risky Information," Consumer Reports, May 4, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88437&id=20654-10842771-nNgjDAx&t=2

3. "Facebook, MySpace Confront Privacy Loophole, The Wall Street Journal, May 21, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=88432&id=20654-10842771-nNgjDAx&t=3

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

I recently started thinking about the women in the online industry who inspire me. While many of the following women regularly appear on prestigious top "blah and blah" lists all across the web, I thought I'd personally share how these women inspire me and what qualities they possess that make them KICK ASS! This is my way of thanking you ... for being you.

Tara Hunt

I first heard Tara speak at SXSW Interactive in 2008. She was on a panel discussing blogger outreach. I asked Tara a question during Q & A and her response would shape  the way I conducted my blogger outreach efforts from there on out, and also  help me realize that being ethical in the online space is my #1 priority. Tara is so real. She's that person that so many can connect with because she shares important parts of herself, from co-working, dating, politics, pop culture, you name it! I find that when Tara is attending a conference, the content that she shares is hands-down, the most insightful out of the bunch. She understands what being human means, sees the good in people and has a knack for reading people, companies and concepts. Her ability to tell it like it is, on any subject matter with honesty, insight, and conviction is why Tara KICKS ASS!

Lucretia Pruitt

I adore Lucretia with all my heart. There are certain people in this world that are pure gold ... and Lucretia is one of them. I remember Jason Keath telling me about a friend of his who I would love ... "she goes out of her way for anyone and always has a group of people circled around her." This could not have been a more accurate depiction of Lucretia. She rocks. Over the past several months, Lucretia has given me advice and guidance that is invaluable. She does not settle for anything less than greatness in life and helps you realize that you shouldn't either. I often smile watching her interactions with others online because she is genuine and nurturing. The selfless social butterfly, who radiates joy and love, is why Lucretia KICKS ASS!

Angela Natividad

I've been a fan of Angela's work since 2006 when she started writing for Adrants. I regularly pitched to the advertising blog on behalf of a previous employer, but also sent her and Steve Hall anything and everything I found that I thought we be a good fit for the Adrants audience. Angela is one of the wittiest women out there. The content she shares is one-of-a-kind and makes my belly hurt from laughter on a daily basis. She is the real-life Ugly Betty (minus the whole "ugly" transformation from braces, glasses and poncho), recently moving from the U.S. to Paris where she is livin' the dream. Her real, sharp, and bringer of the funny personality is why Angela KICKS ASS!

Jessica Gottlieb

I only know Jessica through the online space but I feel like I know more about who she is and what she stands for, than some people I've known for years. Whether she is demanding companies be accountable for their actions or sharing bits of her life that get you on the the floor laughing, Jessica tells it like it is. If she has a view point, it will be known. She doesn't hold back, sugar coat, or try to please the masses. She knows what she likes and what she thinks is absolute bullshit, and you'll know about it too. Her brutal honesty is completely refreshing and is why Jessica KICKS ASS!

Amber Naslund

Amber is a natural-born leader. The very small glimpse that we witness online between her and her Radian6 team shows that her positive leadership style helps them achieve unmatchable results. Her team constantly raves about how lucky they are to have her ... that is not something that you see very often. Amber is one of the most respected leaders in the online industry and her biggest fans are some of her closest friends. Amber is a ball of energy that has the entrepreneurial drive to accomplish almost anything that she sets her mind to. I say almost because she will be the first one to remind us that we are not perfect. Setting the bar extremely high for the kind of leader we should all strive to be, is why Amber KICKS ASS!

Jolie O'Dell

Jolie has the smarts. One look at the roller skating rocker with bright orange hair, perfect complexion, and sweet little voice and you might get distracted from seeing the obvious, she's a genius! Jolie is as smart and driven as they come. I've known her for over a year now and through reading her work, first at ReadWriteWeb and recently Mashable, it's clear that she knows her shit. Jolie gets people to think. She doesn't just report on the facts but starts thought provoking discussions. She is always asking for input on topics via Twitter, because she finds value in the perspective of others. Jolie is the perfect example of a young woman who isn't afraid to run with the big dogs. Her wide and eclectic knowledge and constant quest to learn is why Jolie KICKS ASS!

Erin Kotecki Vest

When I think of Erin, I think of the strong and independent woman that little girls hope to be like one day (the ones that don't want to become the stereotypical housewife who cooks, cleans and does what she's told). She is smart, passionate, warm, hilarious and is open about who she is. Erin shines, stands out from the crowd, is the flame that starts the fire. She can get people motivated from topics all across the board, from politics, hockey, women's rights, to Polish sausage. One of the strongest qualities that I see from Erin is how much she values her family. She is an incredible mother and while she openly shares funny annoyances of her husband, she equally shares how amazing of a father he is and how she is so lucky. When and if I find love and start a family, I hope that I can be as strong and independent, as well as loving and caring, as Erin is. The strength I see from Erin is why she KICKS ASS!

At some point in time, most of us have had "that" boss ... but think before you act people! I understand anger and frustration, but I vote NO, I would never give my boss the bird, even on Facebook. Have you or would you post something like this for the world to see?

As a lot of you know, I lost my job several months ago. While I wish I was about to tell you that I'm moving because I accepted a job offer ... this is not the case.

About a week ago I starting thinking about leaving Asheville, and camping out in NH with an amazingly generous friend. I would be closer to Boston, a city that I love, in hopes of landing the "perfect" job there. I wasn't completely sold on the idea because Asheville is my home. For as much traveling as I do, it's always the place, which more importantly, hosts the people, that I come back to. Leaving would mean giving up my familiar home base and a community that I admire, respect and feel very much a part of. Also, I realized that I'd be leaving to go to a temporary location, which would not be a magical cure for the reoccurring feelings I've been having of feeling lost and stuck. I decided that it would be best to keep searching for my dream job from the place where I'm writing from right now, my home in Asheville. I would continue to search all across the country and when that dream job happened, then I would leave Asheville.

Well ... two nights ago, I found out that I have to be out of the house that I rent month-to-month by the end of April. I threw too many parties. Not really. It turns out that my landlord needs to fix up the house in attempts to sell it. Wow, suddenly something that I had been thinking about just a few days before but was hesitant about could now become a reality. I could move to NH because I didn't want to go through the whole renting thing again, deposits, getting all of my utilities set up, etc down the road in Asheville, when I know that the kind of job that I'm looking for is simply not in Asheville. So that was the plan, NH ... until yesterday.

My sister is about to have her third baby (boy or girl, we won't know until "it" comes out)! I was already scheduled to go down to Boca Raton, Florida from April 17th-24th to take care of my favorite niece, nephew and brother-in-law while my sister recovers. I am very close with my family, so when I shared the news of getting the boot from my house and that my plan was to go to NH, they started talking behind my back, in a good way.

Last night, my dad gave me the option to come stay with him in Naples, FL. Wow. Something else to think about. It didn't take me long to decide. While I'd still be interested in a position that was the right fit for me in Boston, or San Francisco, DC, Chicago, etc, South Florida is where I'll be calling home starting May 1st.

The more this starts to set in, I can't help but feel the happiest I've felt in a very long time. I am going to be less than two hours away from my best friend, my sister, and her what will soon be, three kids!! I have been the best possible long distant aunt for five years now but to be in the same state as the little boogers, well I'm not sure if they even realize how much fun we're going to have! My cousin in Miami had a baby two months ago who I have yet to meet, and my other cousin is pregnant (yes, I have a fertile family)! When I shared the news with my pregnant cousin, the excitement built as we realized that I would be there to help her plan and throw her shower! That's when something even greater hit me ...

Why in the world have I been living all across the country since college when the most important thing in my life, my family, are all mostly in South Florida? (my mom is in Chapel Hill, NC so we'll have to change that soon ... ) I want to live in Miami. Light bulb moment! I grew up in Miami and since I left eleven years ago, I've had no desire to move back. I go down for every major holiday and during the year to visit, but I have been so set on my own life, furthering my own career, that I have had no interest to even think about going back. With all these babies on the way, I'm realizing how fast life goes and changes. I don't want to be the long distant relative, I don't want to be the family member missing out on some serious special moments. Not only do I want to be near my family, I need them. Being around those who love and support you unconditionally is the biggest gift one could have, and after the past few months I've been having, I know that the strength of family is the rock I need. My sister still can't believe this is happening because she's wanted me back down there for years!

While I will still be looking for jobs all across the country, because I really am searching for my dream job, I am crossing my fingers that it's waiting for me in South Florida. If that doesn't happen, and I move far away again, at the very least, I will have spent some quality time with my family during the process.

Leaving Asheville is going to be tough. I've made amazing relationships with so many of you. I decided to move to Asheville when I worked remotely because Asheville has had a piece of my heart since my first summer, and thirteen following summers, at sleepaway camp in the magical mountains. After officially living here for all four seasons, and making it my home, not just home away from, I'm leaving an even bigger piece of my heart here. The one thing that makes this process easier is technology! I will still be online and keeping in touch all of the time. When Asheville gets Google Fiber, because Asheville wants and deserves it, I will be screaming with joy on the social web!

Like I said, I'll be in Florida for the arrival of my niece/nephew the 17th-24th but I want to make sure I have a chance to say goodbye. I'll be packing over the next few weeks, but if you want to meet up, let me know! Coffee, lunch, dinner, drinks, let's do it! I'll be back the 24th until probably the 30th, so I'm thinking those that like to go out on the town, save the date for the 26th!

This is all very bitter and sweet.

So, that's that. On to the next chapter of the book called life ... oh, and for those wondering about my twitter handle, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I really want to hold out for @allie, but not sure how long that will take. But I'm also not ready to give up @ashevilleallie, so for now, it's stays :)

<3

The next time that you're going to switch things up ... during a period of time where there have been phishing schemes left and right ... can you please let us know?

Thanks,

Allie @ashevilleallie

Update: Since starting this post, "The application "who is looking at your profile" is temporarily unavailable due to an issue with its third-party developer. We are investigating the situation and apologize for any inconvenience."

Two Facebook notifications left a weird taste in my mouth last night and I had to share with you. I was notified that a friend, someone that I know enough, "... is looking at your profile." Wait. What? I'm being informed that someone is looking at my profile? I'm not sure that I like that!

Next came curiosity. I want to click on that link, but I don't want a virus. Well, you have more than one computer if something happens. Screw it, I'm going to do it. I did, and was directed to the screenshot below, an application called "who is looking at your profile." At that very moment, the application had 8 followers so I assumed that it was brand spanking new. I hated it.  

Facebook should be about privacy, right? We hear the word "privacy" associated with Facebook on a weekly basis. If you do a google search for "privacy updates" or "privacy settings" the first results are ... you guessed it, Facebook. However, when I searched "who is looking at your facebook profile application" as seen below, there are some very vague results. The first result brings up an application, Top Visitors, shut down by Facebook for privacy reasons (the developer goes into more detail in a blog post). Top Visitors was able to track how often profile pages were viewed and by whom. Creepy, don't you think?

After reading about Top Visitors, I started thinking about the notifications that I got. I wasn't the one tracking who was viewing my profile ... but I was being told by an application that one of my friends was viewing it. I could block the application, easy peasy, but that's not the issue here. Somehow, I felt like my privacy was violated because I didn't ask for that information. Sure, I don't ask for Farmville and all those other updates from friends in my news feed ... but it's not personal, and they're not highlighted in red on top of my notification icon. 

The next step was to find out exactly where Facebook stands. They pose the question, "Can others know when I view their profile?" and answer with:

Facebook currently does not provide an application that allows users to track profile views or statistics on the views of any specific user content. Third party developers, however, may offer applications that provide some of this functionality. Please keep a few things in mind for these applications:

Applications CANNOT track profile visits for users who simply go to another person's profile; Facebook has made this technically impossible.

In order to be tracked by an application, you will need to specifically agree to allow the application to track your actions.

Adding an application that provides this functionality is purely optional. If you do not want to participate, please do not add the application to your account.

What exactly does this mean?

The statement that I highlighted in red sends the message that the act of viewing a profile CANNOT, as Facebook chose to scream, be tracked by an application ... "Facebook has made this technically impossible." If applications cannot track profile visits, then how can they then say, that in order to be tracked by an application, you have to allow the application to track your actions. And if it is "technically impossible", how can I see that someone is viewing my profile? Did my friend really look at my profile or was the application, ahem, bullshit? Are they saying friends can let their friends know willingly, that they are viewing their profiles ... but you can't find out who is viewing your profile on your own? I have no idea but the application that visited my notifications last night did something wrong to already be under investigation.

Facebook states that applications may provide some of this functionality, for example, Top Friends (which disappeared for privacy violations but looks active again, containing a message under their widget on user profiles that the box will be removed soon) and Stalker Check, which was removed and replaced with Fan Check, which was then removed too! Do you have a headache yet? I do!

I'm left more confused than ever. Doesn't Facebook get sick of this game of cat and mouse with third party developers? Can't we say NO to any and all kinds of tracking applications and simply ENGAGE?  I'd like that.

Thanks,

Allie @ashevilleallie

Happy day to ...

• those who are in love
• those who have once loved
• those who will love

xoxo, Allie @ashevilleallie

By now, pretty much anyone that spends time online knows about the colorful statuses that took over female Facebook profiles yesterday. I have to admit that the first "Black!" and then "Beige" that I saw made me rethink who was playing in the National Championship. I saw "Black!" by my friend in medical school and then "Beige" by a friend who is a nurse. I was curious to know what the heck they were talking about, so like the rest of you, I did a Google search to find out what may have had something to do with breast cancer awareness. The message wasn't very clear though.

What it noted was, "... women across metro Detroit (and likely reaching farther regions) are using their Facebook status updates for a cause."

Hmmm. I scratched my head. Okay, so we don't know exactly how this got started, but it's catching on and "everybody's doing it."

"Hot Purple!" became my status update, as I sat there trying to think about it some more. I mean, I knew that writing what color bra I was wearing wasn't going to cure breast cancer. Nor would it directly help an organization receive funding for testing or treatment. But what I did know was that yes, whether or not this was a planned out action by a group in Michigan or not, it would get people talking.

Within minutes I noticed people asking their friends "why all the color statuses?" Within a few more minutes the "What the hell is updating your bra color going to do to help breast cancer?" statuses started to appear. From that, conversations occurred, Sure you have the horny boys that wouldn't know what to do with breasts if there was a pair in front of their face, but then you actually have people talking about the issue, talking about their experience with breast cancer, or someone who survived or died in their family.

Immediately I thought about the Twitter campaign on World AIDS Day:

There were many components to World AIDS Day, but when you look at what the people on Twitter did that day ... they turned their tweets red.

While in the ReadWriteWeb article linked above, states,

"...Twitter co-founder Biz Stone wrote that the site would be partnering with (PRODUCT)RED to raise funds, and 100 percent of funds raised would be used to help AIDS sufferers in Africa."

What it comes down to though, people were spreading the word by participating in something different, fun and so simple ... just by changing the color of their 140 characters or less. I turned some tweets red that day but it also encouraged me to make a donation- to actually DO SOMETHING- and tweet a link for others to do the same.

While the efforts around World AIDS Day could be tracked back to official sources, reputable companies, etc. I don't think that this "Name Your Bra Color?" is all that different. You are entitled to diagree with that, that's fine. I do wish that we knew the exact source (if you know, feel free to let me know because I haven't discovered it yet) because for all I know, it could be a 14-year-old boy who wants to know a little bit more about his female classmates.

I guess my main point here is, however it got started, women across the social network participated in something. I think it's a really good example for non-profits out there to use for brainstorming online campaigns. Use something fun and a little shocking to get attention. Getting an email from a non-profit that asks for money or online action get's OLD. Of course it's not going away anytime soon, but having something new to offer supporters where you are not invading their inbox but their friends support for your cause is showing up in their social networks, well I see that as the biggest win-win situation.

I'd like to end with the bitter-sweet truth that sharing your bra color is such a wonderful thing to be able to do. Women who have survived breast cancer may not have survived keeping their body in the form that it once was. They might not have a bra to wear. Be grateful for what you do have, voice your opinions no matter what they are, and be true to yourself.

Today, I feel lucky to tell you that my bra is pink with aqua lace ... and I urge you to consider getting involved and/or making a donation here: http://ww5.komen.org/

Thanks,

Allie @ashevilleallie

Hi there,

If you've been following me over the past month or so, you know that I really wanted the Social Media, Audience Development Manager position at Playboy Enterprises.

We created some online buzz around it on adrants.com (thanks Steve Hall!), and I had a birthday wish to have an interview with Playboy (thanks for all your RT's and @ replies to @Playboy) ... which I did have a phone interview with the SVP of Marketing and Digital Media. Before the holidays I was told that the next step would be for an in-person interview in Chicago. I've been a nail biting mess since :)

This morning, my optimistic self sent an email to the HR rep I had been in communications with and got this response ...

Hello Allie,

I hope that you had a great New Years!   Your email prompted me to get an update on this position and I was just informed that this position has been filled. 

Regards,

David Marr

Recruiter

Playboy Enterprises

So while my spirits are of course momentarily crushed, I want to say thank you to everyone who offered your support and enthusiasm in this process. It was fun! I am a believer of "everything happens for a reason," so hopefully that reason will be well worth it in the end.

That said, I am still on the hunt for a kick-ass job! If you hear of anything ... please feel free to send my way!

Thanks a bunch,

Allie @ashevilleallie