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Topic: Social Enterprise

Facebook bans KDE applications, deletes photos uploaded with them

Summary: Facebook has blocked the KDE Image Plugin Interface (KIPI) and removed all the photos uploaded by KDE applications that use the KIPI.

Emil Protalinski

By for Friending Facebook |

Update: "The app is back up and running and photos has been restored," a Facebook spokesperson told me in a statement. When I asked for details on what exactly happened, here's the answer I got back: "The app was removed in error as part of Facebook’s automated systems, which are in place to ensure apps on Facebook provide positive user experiences. We're currently working on updated tools and analytics to help developers better monitor user feedback and provide more transparency into these systems."

Users who have used KDE applications to upload photos to Facebook are finding out the social network cannot be trusted. Not only has Facebook blocked the KDE Image Plugin Interface (KIPI), but it has removed all photos previously uploaded using the KIPI, according to a bug report titled "KIPI facebook application is deleted. can't upload and previously uploaded pictures disappear" (via NetworkWorld).

The KIPI is a common plugin structure used by many KDE applications to share image plugins among graphic libraries. Many KDE applications such as Gwenview, Digikam, and KPhotoAlbum use the KIPI to upload photos to social networks such as Facebook.

Since Facebook has apparently banned the KIPI, when KDE users try to upload images using any application that leverages it, they get a "Facebook Call Failed: Invalid API key" error message. It's even more puzzling to learn that Facebook has deleted all photos that users have uploaded using these applications. My guess is that at least the second part was accidental, though of course that's not a valid excuse.

KDE developers have already filed a bug report at bugs.developers.facebook.net asking for KIPI to be restored. The bug has been marked as "RESOLVED INVALID" and they have been told to use the Disabled App Appeal form instead.

It is unknown if Facebook will be able to retrieve the photos, or what the reason behind the ban of the KIPI is. Whether you're a KDE user or not, remember to keep local backups and never assume that Facebook, or any other cloud service for that matter, can guarantee your content will be available forever.

I've reached out to Facebook for a comment on this story and will update this post once I hear back.

Topics: Social Enterprise, Open Source

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19 comments
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  • There is a valuable lesson here

    Do not hardcode keys into your application. Facebook made the right call here.
    Your Non Advocate
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Facebook bans KDE applications, deletes photos uploaded with them

      @facebook@...
      it looks more like some M$ instigation against competing open source.
      Linux Geek
      Reply Vote

      • Better yet.. stay away from facebook

        And you have a better life!
        Uralbas
        Reply Vote

    • Why?

      Because it's Linux?
      ScorpioBlue
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Facebook bans KDE applications, deletes photos uploaded with them

        KDE is not Linux. KDE is the desktop environment for Unix and Linux workstations.
        daikon
        Reply Vote

      • Why?

        @ScorpioBlue Because the key was compromised.
        Your Non Advocate
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Facebook bans KDE applications, deletes photos uploaded with them

        [i]KDE is not Linux. KDE is the desktop environment for Unix and Linux workstations.[/i]

        Technically that's true, but the word "Linux" has come to be used in more generalized terms. You knew what I was talking about.
        ScorpioBlue
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Facebook bans KDE applications, deletes photos uploaded with them

        [i]@ScorpioBlue Because the key was compromised.[/i]

        And what key really isn't, or will be at some point?
        ScorpioBlue
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Facebook bans KDE applications, deletes photos uploaded with them

        @ScorpioBlue
        <ul><L><i>And what key really isn't, or will be at some point</i></l></ul>

        Granted, you may prefer systems that are good enough, such as OpenOffice, but others do demand a higher standard of quality.

        Facebook's actions denote two important things:
        1. it is cognizant of the security implications
        2. it is capable of taking the appropriate action when 3rd party systems with poor QA processes threaten the overall user experience for the remaining half a billion people.
        Your Non Advocate
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      • What standard of quality are you talking about here

        Name them.
        blind obedience
        Reply Vote

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