This Facebook Application Requires You To Spam Friends

Here’s another Facebook Application that requires users to spam their friends before being able to use all its features.

The Classic IQ application requires users to send information to their friends before results of the tests are released.

I found a review of the application by a friend in my feed, and, curiosity aroused, I went to Classic IQ to see what it was all about.

While there, I found the following reviews:

• Blackmail sucks and so does this app. (Cheryl)

  I sat all through the test with NO INDICATION that you were going to force me to invite friends, holding my results to ransom.

  That sucks. You suck.

• Sucks! Spam your friends in the name of statistics. (Praveen)

  Guys..grow up. Keep your dirty tricks to yourselves…

• Lame (Holly)

  I agree with other ratings…this application sucks. Spamming and not a good test

• another blackmail! (Samo)

  I wish I’ve read the comments here BEFORE I did the stupid test!

• Crapplication (Kathy)

  Another “spamming crapplication!”

• Screw this application! (HS)

  Forced invites before releasing your results. Don’t waste your time and block this application outright.

• Don’t bother!! (Mike)

  I agree with the other reviewers.. If you are going to require us to spam people, you should disclose this up front..

• David wrote on the Wall:

  Apps that require you to send it to friends in order to use it should be banned…

• Paul wrote on the Wall:

  This is a scam – don’t touch it!!!!!!!

I may have tried the application, but after seeing what my Facebook friend Cheryl and others had experienced, I wouldn’t bother.

Two Simple Thoughts:

What sort of a friend recommends something that they haven’t tried anyway?

What would your friends think of getting messages from the application?

I delete a number of application invitations every day.

I make a point of only installing those that ‘add’ something to my experience on Facebook, not to please friends sending invitations.

When I recommend an application these days, I only do so for people who may find the thing handy, or fun to use!

If I’m required to spam others before using it, I block it.

If we all avoid applications that require us to invite friends before use, it will cut a lot of unsolicited communication, or spam.

Protesting on the wall of those applications will warn others.

Who Knows? We may also have an affect on the developers, encouraging them to change their ways.

Why do applications do this?

Simply, Facebook applications with a large number of subscribers are valuable!

The more users, the higher the price the owners can get if they choose to sell.

Applications may also be used to gather stats for advertising purposes.

A Note About IQ Tests

When taking any IQ test it should be remembered that none of them are infallible, and results may be affected by cultural differences, tiredness etc.

Intelligence tests are based on comprehension of the topic, and this can be affected by education, training and current circumstances.

Intelligence and education are not the same thing.

A person’s social status and/or occupation don’t necessarily point to a high level of intelligence, or lack of!

Please Note:

This application was not developed by Facebook.

If you have privacy concerns with an application you have the right to report it to Facebook.

There is more information on the Facebook Terms of Use page under the title: Facebook Platform Applications

I have no connection with Facebook other than as a user of the site, and have published this article in the interests of my friends.

You should check all facts on the Terms of Use pages on all sites that you intend to join Before doing so!.

This includes Facebook Applications!