Facebook Blocks Defriended

[Paul Daniel Ash]

The Defriended app was released earlier this week. It had a pretty simple function: to figure out who "defriended" you on Facebook. This is a function that's not available on either Facebook's website or the iPhone app, and the practice is common enough that the synonym "unfriend" was named New Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary, so this app obviously had appeal for those who wonder why they don't see updates for certain people any more.

It was a simple hack: Defriended used Facebook Connect to import your friends list when you first run it, and then checks for changes each time you run the app. Any additions go on the “New friends” list, while missing friends are listed as “Defriended.”

Unfortunately for them - and for the developer iDoodz - this use is a clear violation of Facebook's Developer Principles and Policies:

You must not circumvent our intended limitations on core Facebook features. For example:

You must not notify a user that someone has removed the user as a friend.

On Tuesday, some users reported that the app gave them an “Invalid API key specified: The application you are trying to access does not exist or has been disabled" error, and Facebook gave a statement to Mashable's Samuel Axon on Wednesday that that the app had blocked for the policy violation. "While we cannot remove an application running on another website or platform, we will ensure that applications that access Facebook user data adhere to Facebook Platform policies," the spokesman said.

Finally, Apple removed Defriended from the App Store; without giving a reason, but presumably due to pressure from Facebook. The i-Doodz website currently shows the following message:

Last week our developer was bored one evening, had an idea, and a few hours later uploaded the "defriended" iPhone app. it unexpectedly got a lot of attention, then subsequently Facebook blocked the app, causing it to stop working. We will be looking at how feasible it is to make the app work without a corresponding facebook app, but in the meantime if you've bought the app you should ask apple for a refund - and please do...we don't really want to get money for an app you paid for and that doesn't work. We apologise for the inconvenience.

It's unfortunate, to be sure, but as Axon noted in his piece on the whole issue: if you use an app because you didn't notice when someone unfriended you, you're probably fine without that person as a Facebook friend.

image via pushandsend

[brianlg]

Pretty cool idea.. facebook is lame for blocking this.

[Hyperextension]

Pretty cool idea.. facebook is lame for blocking this.

Facebook is lame...period!

[iLaw-One]

This would've been a really cool app.

[djnikk]

I though mmi was an APPLE related news site...

[xxfr0stbytexx]

i wanted this, i'm glad i didn't pay for it cause i'd be pissed right now. Hopefully it comes back as i want this effing app! lol

[Melech518]

Facebook is lame...period!

Agreed

I though mmi was an APPLE related news site...

Did you bother to read the article? This is pertaining to an iPhone app...

[*i*]

Wouldn't want to pay for anything that doesn't work I'd be annoyed. I hope one day I can use it.

[lilrican21]

This need to be on the cydia store.

[Rescuer]

facebook needs to stop showing "Recent Activity" on my wall >_<

worst feature ever

[screamforme02]

hahah @ "I though mmi was an APPLE related news site..." hah

[carlos916]

wut

[soulthoughts]

This need to be on the cydia store.

It still wouldn't work because FB blocked it.

[feidhlim1986]

How about you just check your friend list to see if a person deleted you or not? If anyone paid for this App then they deserve to be out some cash.
Pretty easy if you only add your actual friends on Facebook and your not one of those wierdos who adds everyone they see in the world

[SquareWheel]

They broke the rules and got removed, simple as that. If you don't notice when somebody defriends you, then you probably aren't a very good friend anyway.

[Channan]

I get notified when someone sends me a request or accepts my request (becomes my friend). Why not when they deny my request or defriend me?

Stupid silly Facebook. And you still have not added an official "dislike" button. Change or you will be the MySpace of the future. We will move on to betterthanmyspaceandfacebook.com if you don't change your ways.

[StealthBravo]

This is BS. Too bad

[rhekt]

ive unlisted myself as a friend for numerous reasons on facebook. i dont need a tattle tale = {NARK} to tell that someone that i had done so. they'll figure it out soon enough. those 'tards.

[Hayesimus]

If you unfriend somone then they deserve to know it. Thats just cowardly to hide behind facebook and hope you don't get caught. If you don't like someone then say,"Hey, I don't like you and I'm removing you from my friends list." Do you think they will wanna bother you anymore? If so then block them. I know that I have 300 plus contacts. They are all people i know in real life and if 1 goes missing there is NO way I could narrow it down. I would like to know for the simple fact that it can be for many reasons. Maybe they deleted their account. Maybe it was an accident. Maybe they just don't like me. Either way, i have every right to know. Its not like people would wanna get facebook revenge! I think they just want to satisfy that curiosity.

By the way, someone can only Nark on you if you've done something WRONG. Therefore your choice of words makes me think you have a guilty conscience about it. I am so gonna unfriend you because you are against the defriend app. Of course it's not like you'd ever know it was me! :P

[Jahooba]

Facebook is a horrible, horrible thing. Well, maybe not Facebook itself, but what it turns people into. Same thing with Myspace. People confuse ACTUAL friendship with online friendships, and they start attributing actions from one to the other.

I think it's because people lose sight of what the website is for, and that is simply to keep track of your friends and to share stupid moments together. It's not meant to be a substitute for actually hanging out and/ or talking to your friends, and it's not suppose to be a serious way to communicate.

It's a kid's game. It's a small step up from a Spongbob MMORPG.