GRAFIKDOTCOM_BLOG
  • 25
    Oct
    2011

    “Take This Lollipop” stalks you into protecting your Facebook information

     
    Posted by Lahaina

     

    My Facebook profile being stalked!

    My Facebook profile is being stalked!

    Do you remember when you were a child and your mother told you not to take candy from strangers? Well, this general rule still stays true as an adult, and apparently also in the interactive space.

    TakeThisLillipop.com is a website that has gone viral on Facebook and Twitter for the past few days and presents a terrifying interactive experience that taps into everyone’s inner fears of social privacy issues. When you first enter the site you’re tempted by an image of a lollipop (with a “hidden” blade) and a simple, but provoking statement: “I Dare You.” If you do dare enter, you are prompted to grant access to your Facebook account—not much different from when you use social apps or games on Facebook. Now, I only proceeded because Brandon swore it was harmless—well, I guess only physically. You are then taken though your own little personalized, Halloween-appropriate, horror film. The victim? You.

    Without divulging the details of the experience (you have to go and experience it for yourself!), the three-minute video showcases what could happen if a Michael Myers/Norman Bates/Chucky-type got ahold of your Facebook profile, and used your information to hunt you down. There is a disclaimer on the homepage that states your information won’t be saved, but it does teach everyone a valuable lesson: use social media wisely and know your privacy settings. Digital marketer Jason Zada is the mind behind the site, and in an Ad Age Digital article, he spoke about how “the scariest part is that your information is in the video. The piece is scary because a person is violating your privacy, not because it’s bloody or there’s anything jumping out.”

    Social media is a very power tool for communication available to basically everyone, but everyone who uses it should have a basic understanding who sees what, and what granting access to your account means. Facebook has a very straightforward and informative Privacy section in its Help Center. I suggest everyone take 10 minutes to get to know the basics of protecting your information. I generally would have preferred less shock value—I still get the creeps thinking about it—but this site is certainly diabolically brilliant.

    The actor who plays the stalker, Bill Oberst Jr., gives such a creepy stare.

    The actor who plays the stalker, Bill Oberst Jr., gives such a creepy stare.

     

     

      SHARE THIS TAGS:Anything + Everything, Interactive, Social Media
     

    2 Comments

    1. BY Danielle

      Oh goodness Lahaina, I’m never going to sleep again! And, definitely double checking my privacy settings. :)

    2. BY Lahaina

      I’m glad I could help—with the privacy settings part, not the insomnia inducing part! ;-)