Facebook doesn't like my script :(

September 2006 ยท 2 minute read

UPDATE: Since I no longer use Facebook and deleted my account with them, I put the code back up. Get it here: http://www.nemik.net/code/facebook-rss.zip and let me know if you like it.

Facebook decided it did not like my script for RSSing the ‘News Feed’ feature. I guess the lawyers are still on a leash to keep from ripping me to shreds.

I decided not escalate the issue further knowing that their lawyers probably could rip me to shreds and I’m not currently interested in testing their abilities in doing so.

Facebook’s e-mail:

_“Hey Nemanja, _

_ I’m an engineer at Facebook and I’m writing to ask you to please discontinue using and providing for download your RSS script (for scraping News Feed). We applaud your efforts at extending the use of Facebook, but unfortunately we cannot allow automated scripts to access our site for any reason. If you review the Terms of Service (located at http://facebook.com/terms.php) you will see the following sentence beneath Member Conduct:“Additionally, you agree not to use automated scripts to collect information from the Service or the Web site or for any other purpose.”We’ve disabled your account for now, but if you’ll get back to me when you’ve removed the script (and discontinued using it) I will be happy to re-enable your account._

We’d obviously like to resolve this without getting the lawyers involved if possible, so please get back to me as soon as possible so our legal department doesn’t get all fired up about this.

_Thanks, _

_Chris Putnam Facebook Engineer http://facebook.com/p.php?id=13&l;=7f32d95924” _

So the script is no longer being hosted on my site. Thanks to all who commented on it and helped perhaps improve it.