Facebook has been slammed for allegedly exposing the true names of sex workers and porn stars.
People who are paid to have sex have claimed that the social network’s “People You May Know” function has accidentally exposed their name or other private details.
This system shows users pictures of people they may know, in the hope of introducing them to people they might want to make friends with.
But sex workers have told Gizmodo that the system has exposed their secrets.
One prostitute claimed Facebook suggested an account she runs under her real name suggested she make friends with people who had used her services.
This could prove very dangerous, as it could allow weirdo customers to stalk her or expose her to family members.
Ela Darling, who works as a porn performer, runs a private account under her real name.
She claimed this second, secret account was being recommended to her fans, who were then able to discover her real identity.
“We’re living in an age where you can weaponize personal information against people,” she told Gizmodo.
“For something that big to be so secretive and powerful in how it accumulates your information is unnerving.”
Facebook said it would do its “best to prevent these things from happening and we do care about people’s privacy” and said: “We fell short here and we will do better.”
Its recommendation system uses about 100 bits of data to make matches, although it’s unclear exactly how it does this.
This suggests it’s likely that people who live near each other or share friends in common may be invited to be friends with each other.
If you’re a sex worker, this could prove extremely embarrassing — or worse.