Skype’s Sharing Violation

List of he Facebook Permissions Skype Wants
I bought a new HD webcam this month and downloaded Skype software so I can talk with someone who’s living in the Middle East with spotty phone service. To recoup my investment I decided that I would expand my Skype universe and import my Facebook contacts into Skype. That would let me know when more people are online, and maybe increase a chance for a chat or two.
But, really, Skype. You aren’t that good a friend for me to give you all the power you’re asking for!
I like my friends too much to let Skype do everything it wants. Here’s what the Skype app wants:
- Access my basic information which includes my list of friends.
This makes sense if I want Skype to give me a list of my Facebook friends that use Skype. - Send me email.
Okay, they already know my email address because I registered their software on my PC. - Access Posts in my News Feed.
Why? So, no. - Post to Facebook as me
I think this is just a scary way of saying that Skype can post to my wall as me when I am doing something with it. But, no. I want Skype to get my contact information. No more. - Access my data at any time.
Huh? Why? - Access Facebook Chat
This stumps me. Do they want to access chat as me? Would this let me use Skype to video chat on Facebook? Tell me more, Mr. Skype. - Access my profile information.
No. And, I am running out of polite ways to ask “whatever for?” - Access my photos
Skype, keep your paws off my pictures. I’ll give you a profile picture, but the rest are off limits, okay? - Access my videos
No. See above on photos. - Access information people share with me
No. They are my friends. Find your own.
I don’t mean to pick on Skype. It’s a good service. But, really, the intrusiveness of corporate Social Media apps feels increasingly like the stalking of a creepy, socially inept voyeur who peers into your windows whenever they need a fix of humanity.
I don’t want Skype to tell people when I am using Skype to talk with other Facebook friends. It’s just not anyone’s business. And, I don’t want Skype to go digging around in my circle of friends of juicy marketing opportunities.
For me, it’s “No!” to Skype and to other overreaching corporations. I am reading the Facebook permissions they want and saying know when what they’re asking for has nothing to do with what they need to deliver service to me.

Write your announcement like it is news. Don’t just state the facts about what you’re doing like you’re describing a dead fish. Use action verbs and use the headline to tease the editors into wanting to read more.
