Google vs. Facebook war strikes communication data top

The battle for online data control pitting Google vs. Facebook is back within the media, writes the Guardian. Facebook isn’t really playing fair when it comes to allowing a free flow of data, claims Google. Google is furious that Facebook essentially "traps" its users’ contact information by not permitting free and simple export functionality. To make Facebook understand the gravity of this issue, Google has prohibited Facebook from using its information feed for Gmail contacts.

Google punches Facebook, Facebook leapfrogs Google

Google’s hard-line data stance against Facebook temporarily prevented Facebook users from being able to import or invite contacts from Google services via the automated path. Facebook doesn't like being told what to do. This is why it created a hack easily so users no longer had this problem. All Google contacts can be uploaded onto Facebook. This will be after they download them. New users don't even have to leave Facebook to do this.

Facebook's move "disappointed" Google's Data Liberation Front, reports the Guardian. This is the group of company engineers there specifically to make sure that info from Google products for Google users are easy to move. Google corporate made a statement. It said:

“We’re disappointed that Facebook didn’t invest their time in making it possible for their users to get their contacts out of Facebook. As passionate believers that people should be able to control the data they create, we will continue to allow our users to export their Google contacts.”

Facebook has yet to comment on the issue.

Will this escalate the Great Online Data War?

From 525 BC to 456 BC, Greek dramatist Aeschylus lived. "In war, truth is the first casualty," he wrote. There is no right side to the Great Online Data War really. This is just the war between Google and Facebook. The truth of the matter is that Google and Facebook will make decisions that benefit themselves first. This recent skirmish between the online titans makes it seem as if Facebook simply doesn’t want to provide an escape route for its users, but Google could simply be searching for an opening in Facebook via which it can extend a new battering ram within the rumored Google Me service.

Citations

The Guardian

guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2010/nov/08/google-facebook-gmail-contacts-data