In our thirst for social media, we are constantly sharing.
We share links and shout out intimate details on Facebook and we love to
exchange stuff we “Stumble Upon” and “Digg.” Adventurous folks are sharing
their ideas via TED Talks and for those clever with 140 characters or less,
there’s Twitter.
And, let’s not forget about the emergence of Google+.
Enter the Netflix App geared towards even more sharing via Facebook pages. Want to share that old television series Sea Hunt with your friends? What about a great movie you just watched? Who wouldn’t want to share it with their BFFs? There’s a grand idea behind the Netflix App but if you live in the United States, forget about it — the app apparently is illegal — allowing others to see what you’re watching on Netflix is breaking the law!
One post on CNNMoney, “Why Netflix’s App Would Be Illegal” by Julianne Pepitone explained what’s behind the legalities of using a Netflix App in America: The 1980s Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
According to Pepitone, VPPA came about after a “Washington City Paper talked to a video store clerk into giving him (Robert) Bork’s rental history.” In 1987, Robert Bork, a very conservative Supreme Court nominee lost the nomination and although one could find many reasons why Bork didn’t get the top judge job, VPPA ensured it would be illegal for anyone to obtain another’s video rental history for privacy purposes.
Enter the Netflix App geared towards even more sharing via Facebook pages. Want to share that old television series Sea Hunt with your friends? What about a great movie you just watched? Who wouldn’t want to share it with their BFFs? There’s a grand idea behind the Netflix App but if you live in the United States, forget about it — the app apparently is illegal — allowing others to see what you’re watching on Netflix is breaking the law!
One post on CNNMoney, “Why Netflix’s App Would Be Illegal” by Julianne Pepitone explained what’s behind the legalities of using a Netflix App in America: The 1980s Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
According to Pepitone, VPPA came about after a “Washington City Paper talked to a video store clerk into giving him (Robert) Bork’s rental history.” In 1987, Robert Bork, a very conservative Supreme Court nominee lost the nomination and although one could find many reasons why Bork didn’t get the top judge job, VPPA ensured it would be illegal for anyone to obtain another’s video rental history for privacy purposes.
How Private Are We?
In a blog
post by Netflix Director of Government Relations, Michael Drobac, he said of
the Facebook app sharing: “We’ll continue to look at these issues and find ways
to bring you the easy, convenient and quality experiences you have come to
expect, including ways to automatically share with your friends on Facebook.”
Hmm?
I predict the sides on whether to amend or get rid of VPPA
will be fierce in my opinion and I’ll explain why?
For one, if you look at the comments on the Netflix blog post you’re sure to get a chuckle or two. Many are still angry about the Netflix price increase. The whole mess angered Netflix users even after an apology and then a separation of church and state, so to speak — a Netflix user could choose either the DVD delivery or online streaming. Thankfully, Netflix also allowed users to have both rentals and streaming but at a price increase. I chose the streaming.
For one, if you look at the comments on the Netflix blog post you’re sure to get a chuckle or two. Many are still angry about the Netflix price increase. The whole mess angered Netflix users even after an apology and then a separation of church and state, so to speak — a Netflix user could choose either the DVD delivery or online streaming. Thankfully, Netflix also allowed users to have both rentals and streaming but at a price increase. I chose the streaming.
The comments on the blog post are indeed angry ones. Why?
Netflix is urging users to contact Congress via an email link to help reform VPPA
and most are saying “What? You want us to help you after you increased our
prices?” Forget about it!
Secondly, I’d expect Facebook users to protest against this
Netflix sharing app. I for one wouldn’t want anyone to know my video history by
peeking into my queue or looking at recent rentals. Sure, I’m embarrassed I
watched The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
like five or six times! I’d also pop fun at some of my family members who are
adults yet are compelled to watch cartoon-type movies over and over again even
though they have no actual kids at home. Heck my one sister would fall into
this category—she sort of whispered to me over the phone she went and saw Puss n’ Boots with Antonio Banderas.
Imagine what her Facebook friends would say!
But I digress. Facebook has invaded my life enough and I’m
not fond of the timeline—I don’t wish to see a timeline going back to 1959! I
also don’t want to share every tidbit of my life including the Netflix movies I
download and stream through my Apple TV.
If I were single and some Facebook user thought I’d be great
to take out on a date, they’d probably think I was in my 80s since I love Bette
Davis and Cary Grant movies. I’d be judged by the movies and television shows I
watch. If you’re reading this do you even remember the TV show Sea Hunt?
And, currently my profile pic is my favorite dog Cosmo — not
named after the Seinfeld character!
Usually during the NFL season I put up a pic of me wearing a Pittsburgh
Steeler’s throwback helmet and only then would my possible date to be know I’m
not in my 80s and actually much younger.
I hope VPPA isn’t overturned. I’d like to see Netflix sting
a little — I’m sure many will agree with me — at least those leaving Netflix
blog comments do!
Well, enough on the VPPA and Netflix’s attempt at app
sharing on Facebook. You’ll either be for it or against it I suppose.
Time to run, I think I’ll watch Gunsmoke on Netflix and after that I may even watch an episode or
two of Little House on the Prairie,
maybe an episode of The Waltons too;
but that my friends is just between me and you. Tootles!
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