Facebook makes it so you can force your friends to join Groups
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
April 4, 2011 12:30am CST
That's right, Facebook members can simply add their friends to a Group without their consent.
In a fight with someone? You can force them to join any group you want. Have a friend who is an atheist? You can add them to a Christian group. Have a friend that is Christian? You can add them to a Satanic group.
The only thing they can do about it is go to that site and remove their name.
This replaces the better, and more friendly "Invite" function, where you invite your friends to join, and they decide if they want to be part of it or not. Now, that function no longer exists.
My brother (Ken Bingham), created a Group called, "Facebook, I Do Not Want To Be Forced Joined Into A Group." Members can add the people on their friends list. Those friends (in turn) can add their friends. It's only been up a few hours, but has already gained 316 members...
Hopefully this group goes viral and shows Facebook how stupid their idea really is!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_138434176227011¬if_t=group_activity
5 people like this
15 responses
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
4 Apr 11
What a stupid business move for Face-book to make! Sure, it will net them new "members," & doubtless some will like it enough to stay, but removing choice? That's a guaranteed way to tick off most people!
I've been subbed to things I'd never have done myself, & when my mailbox is suddenly crammed full of emails I have no use for, nothing is more incentive for me to UN-subscribe, delete the host of unwanted junk, complain to the company/person that did it, & then badmouth them across the net, as I gather you've just done!
How is it possible Face-book, a supposedly web-savvy bunch--not realize that's what's going to happen? What on earth could they have been thinking, doing something so annoying?! 
Maggiepie
"Deep experience is never peaceful." ~ Henry James
Maggiepie
"Deep experience is never peaceful." ~ Henry James@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
4 Apr 11
Are you on FB? If so, Friend Me!
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
4 Apr 11
Oh, I got on it ages ago, but I rarely use it. In fact, I usually just reply to friends when they post a message to me. I really don't know HOW to "friend" someone! (And when did "friend" become a verb, by the way? 
Shouldn't we say "befriend?" 
).
PM me & explain how it works, & I'll do it just to make you happy, though, hon! But frankly, I don't really understand what Face Book is for, & anyway, I'm here, being a friend AND making pocket change 99% of my on-line time! 
Maggiepie
"It is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn." ~ Robert Southey, poet (1774-1843)
Shouldn't we say "befriend?" ).
PM me & explain how it works, & I'll do it just to make you happy, though, hon! But frankly, I don't really understand what Face Book is for, & anyway, I'm here, being a friend AND making pocket change 99% of my on-line time!
Maggiepie
"It is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn." ~ Robert Southey, poet (1774-1843)1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
4 Apr 11
Wow, I will have to go see what groups I may have been 'added' to.
1 person likes this
I put you in the "Lefty Liberal Women's" group!
Annie
@lady1993 (27224)
• Philippines
11 Apr 11
Now that you put it that way, this is quite a harmful thing for facebook users. It really depends on how people use it though. I find groups useful because I can organize my friends. But I'd never put them in those situations...put them in a group they don't want. But it would be nice if the maker of the group asked permission first, fb should have that before a member is put in a group.
But I'd never put them in those situations...put them in a group they don't want. But it would be nice if the maker of the group asked permission first, fb should have that before a member is put in a group.
@ultimecea (3)
• United States
4 Apr 11
Do you know if there is any option to opt out of your friends being able to do this or do oyu just have to keep an eye on it?
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
5 Apr 11
No way to opt out, but if you are "force joined" to a group, all you have to do is "leave group" and no one can "force join" you again.. but only to that group.
@shaggin (72131)
• United States
4 Apr 11
I noticed this. I dont even know how to start a group let alone force someone to join. I wouldnt want to force them to join a group they dont want to be a member of that totally defeats the purpose. A girl on facebook did this to me and many other people and we were all like why are we on this group when we didnt approve it.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
4 Apr 11
Hi. ParaTed2k. Thank you for this Facebook link. This is really messed up. How can someone make you join a group that you have never even asked to join? That is not fair at all.
If anyone list me under a group to join, then I will quickly delete my name from under this group. I would like to choose the group that I would like to join, rather than them just choosing me themselves.
This is really messed up. How can someone make you join a group that you have never even asked to join? That is not fair at all. If anyone list me under a group to join, then I will quickly delete my name from under this group. I would like to choose the group that I would like to join, rather than them just choosing me themselves.
@polaris77 (2040)
• Bacau, Romania
4 Apr 11
Well,this is absolutely incredible;how can anyone be forced to join a group without his or her content?I thnk FB should quickly do something to remove this feature which clearly damages its reputation,so I've also decided to join the group created by your brother as a sign of protest against this brainless idea.I am curious to see if any of my friends will add me to a group of people with whom I have very few things in common.If that thing happened,I would have to say some unpleasant words to that friend;I just hope that won't be necessary and FB will give up this crazy idea.
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
4 Apr 11
You have a valid point to make and those who 'list' others in their group should think twice before adding anyone. If they are sure that others (read their friends) will not object, then only they should add.
