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Comment by LeonM | Hacker News Reader

What about those 'free' WiFi access points that require you to login with Facebook for 'prevention of abuse', and then abuse your Facebook account by posting you were there.

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Do you have an example of that? That can't be a thing.

https://cloud4wi.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200537826-Soc...

There's also http://socialwifi.com, not sure if they provide an option to spam the user's timeline or not.

One of the more famous co-working spaces in Berlin "St. Oberholz" does it - I was not amused.

It's essentially another dark pattern. In accordance with the use policy of the Facebook APIs you can't require a like in exchange for something. If you see that, definitely report the offender to Facebook.

Source: I used to be involved with a WiFi company that offered Facebook "login".

Edit: clarified my involvement

> In accordance with the use policy of the Facebook APIs you can't require a like in exchange for something.

Unless you're Facebook, I guess: https://www.facebook.com/business/facebook-wifi

Sure, they can make/break their own rules. It's been a while since I've looked at this in detail, but my understanding is the "Like" aspect of it is optional. On that page:

>After checking in, people will be asked if they also want to like your Page so you can continue to connect with them on Facebook.

Of course, if using Facebook WiFi, you do check-in to the location which triggers a host of other "features" within your Facebook account and experience. Similar to if you check-in to a location with the standard Facebook App.

I can see the argument that it's an extension of that experience, while providing WiFi service in exchange for it.

It's a thing. I've only seen it once, at a pub in the countryside where there is no phone signal. I refused to sign in, but then several of my friends did.

This is a service provided by Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/business/facebook-wifi

I encountered this when trying to access wi-fi on a bus. Here's the website for a company which provides this kind of service in Russia: http://netgowifi.com/en/

Seen it the other day in Montréal, but just using the back button on my phone allowed me to use the wifi without signing up for anything.

Facebook actually offers a "wifi authentication" feature to store proprietors. I ran into an instance of it while in Europe. Haven't seen it used in the US, though.

Do they hide that? The ones I've seen have at least been honest about it: Internet for a Facebook-like.

What if you don't have a Facebook login?

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