Doesn't seem to be available here in Canada ...
Ludo
Updated: Facebook on Wednesday said it will allow its users to take their information to another service, via a feature called “download your information.”
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that people should take their data “wherever they want.” The service, which will roll out later today, is built off of Facebook’s Graph API and pulls down photos, videos and posts into a zip file. Sounds pretty handy.
Gallery: How to download your Facebook data
The move is an interesting one. For starters, Facebook’s move will be well received. Folks may not actually take their information away from Facebook, but they will certainly appreciate the option. By opening up data portability, Facebook is more likely to keep people in the fold. Just because a door is open doesn’t mean you’ll leave.
Other key points:
- Facebook is also planning an apps dashboard that will highlight applications that have permissions so you can manage them.
- Download you information will verify your identity before moving data via password, confirmation and CAPTCHA. The feature rolls out today.
- Facebook is apparently allowing you to map your social graph to the real-world friend network via an algorithm. Potentially creepy, but could be effective. In a blog post, Zuckerberg primarily outlined the new Groups feature.
But the real headliner is the Facebook data to zip file move. Overall, the data portability move is a good one.
A few key questions:
- How many folks will actually download their data beyond photos?
- How much does download your data help Facebook in the perception and PR department? (Hint: A lot).
- Can Facebook implement this feature in a way that won’t confuse anyone?
So far, the downloading of your data seems pretty straightforward.
Head to account settings…
You’ll get an option for download your data. Then request download…
Facebook prepares data…
Download zip file once you verify your identity…
After you unzip, you get a Facebook page with your local data.
