Facebook Apps Are Leaking Your Personal Data

Your oh-so-strict Facebook privacy settings aren't necessarily protecting you: Many popular Facebook applications have been transmitting identifying information to dozens of firms, a Wall Street Journal investigation has discovered. It's an issue that affects ten of millions of users and one that breaks the company's own rules about privacy. A Facebook rep has admitted the problem exists, and says the company is working on a solution.

The Journal found that all of the 10 most popular apps were transmitting users' IDs to companies, essentially allowing them to access those people's names, and, in some cases, the names of their friends. The list includes apps like Farmville, which has some 59 million users, Texas HoldEm Poker and FrontierVille. Those with strict privacy settings are not spared. (Click here for other news about Facebook.)