Reporting Facebook Rule breaking apps

hannahp

While trying (repeatedly) on facebook to access an app & after my recent 30 day facebook ban for L&S
I (repeatedly) refused to click the OK button & got the following.

I'm stuck in an app that keeps asking to access my info or post on my behalf, and I can't dismiss the message.

If an app asks to access your info or post on your behalf and won't allow you to decline or click Cancel, it isn't following our policies.
Please report the app if it continues to ask for your info. We appreciate your patience, and thanks for helping us enforce our policies.

and there's a lovely little form below this message to fill in the details of the offending company so I did report them!
I'm not normally a 'tell tale tit, tongue shall split etc' but my ban has taught me these companies are not playing fair & its not on

Zanzib

I came across one the other day and it would not submit my entry unless I allowed it to post on my behalf.

If I find it again, then I'll report it.

Blulu

I did the same a week or two ago with an similarly annoying comp. Perhaps we should aim to report these more often? Might help win the battle. We can think of it as whistle-blowing more than grassing - same thing, but it feels better

Blu X

hannahp

Blulu wrote: »

We can think of it as whistle-blowing more than grassing - same thing, but it feels better

Blu X

I like it 'Grass' does leave such a horrible tast in the mouth :eek: (OMG I don't mean that sort of grass!)

I just hope Facebook aren't just 'paying lip service' to their rules

Blulu

hannahp wrote: »

I like it 'Grass' does leave such a horrible tast in the mouth :eek: (OMG I don't mean that sort of grass!)

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Go on then, I'll believe ya

Blu X

mjm3346

Zanzib wrote: »

I came across one the other day and it would not submit my entry unless I allowed it to post on my behalf.

If I find it again, then I'll report it.

I think they are permitted to refuse you entry but there must be an option to leave the app so you are not stuck in a repeating cycle until you agree.

jeddentad

mjm3346 wrote: »

I think they are permitted to refuse you entry but there must be an option to leave the app so you are not stuck in a repeating cycle until you agree.

I think that's exactly it.

The times I've seen it happen it felt like an honest mistake on the developers side, not something sinister. But something they needed to have brought to their attention.

Same with L&S comps.

I just with with L&S there was as easy a way to report them so that the site owners would get the rules breakdown sent over, and perhaps a bit of info on how to hold comps on FB without breaking the T&Cs.

The only option I see is Report/Spam. Which, I guess, is apt, since that's what overly L&S gets you banned for, isn't it?

Blulu

Tricky one, I'm still not sure. I thought I'd try going to the horses mouth - trouble is I'm not great at speaking 'horse', so I thought I'd wimp out and post to see what others think. I've highlighted what I think is the relevant bit. Blu X

Facebook rules re running promotions - from: https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

E. Promotions
If you use Facebook to communicate about or administer a promotion (such as a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including the official rules, offer terms and eligibility requirements (e.g., age and residency restrictions), and compliance with regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered in connection with the promotion (e.g., registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals). Please note that compliance with these guidelines does not constitute the lawfulness of a promotion. Promotions are subject to many regulations and if you are not certain that your promotion complies with applicable law, please consult with an expert.

i. Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or a Page App.

ii. Promotions on Facebook must include the following:

a. A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.

b. Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

c. Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.

iii. You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.

iv. You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.

v. You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.

vi. You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles (timelines) or Pages.

vii. Definitions:

a. By “administration” we mean the operation of any element of the promotion, such as collecting entries, conducting a drawing, judging entries, or notifying winners.

b. By “communication” we mean promoting, advertising or referencing a promotion in any way on Facebook, e.g., in ads, on a Page, or in a Wall post.

Zanzib

mjm3346 wrote: »

I think they are permitted to refuse you entry but there must be an option to leave the app so you are not stuck in a repeating cycle until you agree.

That was the problem, this comp went into the repeating cycle...

jeddentad

Blulu wrote: »

Tricky one, I'm still not sure. I thought I'd try going to the horses mouth - trouble is I'm not great at speaking 'horse', so I thought I'd wimp out and post to see what others think. I've highlighted what I think is the relevant bit. Blu X

Facebook rules re running promotions - from: https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

E. Promotions
If you use Facebook to communicate about or administer a promotion (such as a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including the official rules, offer terms and eligibility requirements (e.g., age and residency restrictions), and compliance with regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered in connection with the promotion (e.g., registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals). Please note that compliance with these guidelines does not constitute the lawfulness of a promotion. Promotions are subject to many regulations and if you are not certain that your promotion complies with applicable law, please consult with an expert.

i. Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or a Page App.

ii. Promotions on Facebook must include the following:

a. A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.

b. Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

c. Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.

iii. You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.

iv. You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.

v. You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.

vi. You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles (timelines) or Pages.

vii. Definitions:

a. By “administration” we mean the operation of any element of the promotion, such as collecting entries, conducting a drawing, judging entries, or notifying winners.

b. By “communication” we mean promoting, advertising or referencing a promotion in any way on Facebook, e.g., in ads, on a Page, or in a Wall post.

For me, pure L&S (or pure Like) comps come down to points:
i: comp most often does not use an app
ii: statements of disclosure and sponsorship are almost always omitted
iii: entry is often conditioned on liking a post
iv: the act of liking alone often enters you into a comp
vi: with no contact details collection method, they can only contact you through facebook


I wouldn't give much of a care about it if people weren't being banned/suspended for participating in the comps.

hannahp

jeddentad wrote: »

I wouldn't give much of a care about it if people weren't being banned/suspended for participating in the comps.

Me too !
Thats why I started the thread & why I continue to report the app/company whenever the little pop-up box appears (After all facebook are inviting you/me/everyone to report these rule breakers !)