One of the interesting things that has popped-up on Facebook are the new “social video” and “social reader” applications. While I always like to go into external news sites to read good articles, I’m not a fan of installing additional apps just to read something with the future risk of spamming my friends with everything I’m reading. I’d prefer to limit what I share with friends to that which I deem “share-worthy” whether that be good real news or whimsical pictures of food.
Someone just asked how to block Social Cam on Facebook. This method could also be used to block out any of the other “Social Reader” apps that are currently asking for friend-spamming permissions.
HIDE SOCIALCAM
First, go into your mail Facebook stream and look for a friend who is sharing a viral video via SocialCam
(sorry Drew, not picking on you directly)
Just for fun I had never installed Socialcam, so I added it just to see what would happen, then I went back and wiped it out completely.
Now click on the top right corner of the post and select “Hide all by Socialcam”
By taking this first step it should remove any future Socialcam posts from coming into my stream. Unfortunately as an example I also installed Socialcam to watch the video, so let’s wipe the permissions of Socialcam as-well.
DELETE SOCIALCAM
At the top right of the Facebook bar, there will be “Your name”, “Home”, and then a drop down arrow. Click on the Drop Down to go into Privacy Settings. (ignore the white space in my profile, you should still the menu items)
It should take you to https://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=privacy
Go to -> Ads, Apps and Websites -> EDIT SETTINGS
find the offending App named Socialcam and click on the “X” and agree and click “Remove”
Optional: Scream at full voice, “Take that you freakin’ stupid Socialcam!”
Optional 2: Remove all other apps that you really don’t want accessing your information without your explicit permission
BLOCK SOCIALCAM
So, think you’re done? Nope. Make Socialcam suffer even more. Block the app.
Go back into Privacy Settings
And see that last item “Blocked People and Apps”
Click on “Manage Blocking”
Scroll down to Block Apps: type in “social” or “socialcam”
and then BLOCK IT!
Optional: Scream, “Socialcam, deal with it! It’s over! You’re blocked! I never have to deal with you again!”
Optional 2: Go get yourself a coffee and feel free to PayPal tip me $1 :)
Optional 3: On the block page, feel free to block ex-girlfriends and weird folks from seeing you on Facebook
You have now effectively purged Socialcam from your Facebook feed, revoked their permissions and access to your account, and blocked the app from ever berating you again. The only way that they can bother you again is by creating a new app with a different unique ID. Then you can just simply rinse and repeat this process to get rid of it again. ENJOY your new clean Facebook feed.
