Facebook users react to new 'Graph Search' tool

By Karolyn Coorsh - CTVNews.ca Staff

Published: January 25, 2013 at 3:16PM EST

CTV News Channel: Facebook Graph sparks outrage Nakedsecurity.com writer Chester Wisniewski says Facebook users may not realize how much of their information graph search makes public.

View the story "Facebook users react to new 'Graph Search' function " on StorifyFacebook users react to new 'Graph Search' function Social media users were given access to Facebook's newly launched "Graph Search," which allows users to search for customized information by filtering data from profile connections. Storified by CTVNews.ca· Fri, Jan 25 2013 12:09:28Many users seemed optimistic, amused and intrigued by Facebook's latest technological venture as they attempted to navigate new social waters:
Just got off the Waiting list of the new Facebook Graph Search.. hmm interesting concept should of been implemented in search engines a loooong time ago.Jay Jay NapalanI love Facebook Graph Search. Really, is amazingIsrael MartinezFacebook Graph Search is making me hungry. Love that you can see what friends like. @gigasavvy # @ GigaSavvy http://instagr.am/p/U6sznBFQW2/Joel TannerHelp! I'm lost in the Graph Search exploration abyss and I can't get out! #facebookNataliaaw man. graph search has been turned on. Friday productivity about to take a diveTom Labettigraph search: still making me smile http://i.imgur.com/jgMGpIr.pngSam BiddleThough Facebook insists the search tool is built with user's security settings in mind, some people are expressing concern about privacy issues, as the search tool can cull information from aspects of your personal profile:
@Documentally I am more worried by the social graph search myself. Half a decade of thoughts open for people to find in seconds.Richard AziaOthers pointed out its shortcomings and flaws:
I'm thinking maybe Graph Search is best suited to people who tend to collect "friends." It's not terribly useful for people like me who actually know the people I'm friends with because I tend to know where they live, their taste in music and movies and so forth because they're my friends. I've tried coming up with some searches to surface some things, but am finding I'm not surprised by the results.Ron Miller - Freelance Technology JournalistGraph Search is interesting so far. I can see where it could be more effective if it had access to more info though.Rob Breen@heywren Facebook gave me that Graph Search thing, and this is how it interpreted typing "Bill Conference" http://pic.twitter.com/Bma1OK9YTaber Andrew BainUser @tomscott put Graph Search to the test and came up with some unusual results:
"Spouses of married people who like [cheat-on-your-partner dating site] Ashley Madison"actualfacebookgraphsearches"People who like English Defence League and Curry" (hat tip to @qwghlm)actualfacebookgraphsearchesTo address privacy issues, Facebook has also launched a Q+A series with Facebook's Chief Privacy Officer, Erin Egan.