I did not realize this, but sometimes reviewing and assessing Web 2.0 applications can lead to an embarrassing situation. Recently, as I checked out an application called Spacelocker my contact list on my Google Mail account was accessed without my clear authorization or understanding. I may have made a mistake during the registration process, but gosh darn, I have reviewed over 150 Web 2.0 applications and this has never happened before! At any rate, imagine my surprise (and anger) when I realized everyone on my contact list had been invited to join and use Spacelocker.

I might not have been so angry if I had decided this was an application I recommended for teacher or student use, but I had determined it had too many social features for my conservative viewpoint. I would not have included this application in my blog as a recommended Web 2.0 application. Granted, it’s interesting and most certainly has kid appeal and I did like the cute graphics, but I just figured it was not an application I would recommend.

So I find myself eating humble pie as I publicly apologize to everyone on my contact list. Obviously, I have already sent an apology email to everyone in my contact list as well. I have learned a valuable lesson. I will not use an email account that is connected to any of my contacts when I review applications in the future, especially when I am reviewing a Beta application.

In fairness to Spacelocker I have included the personable note I received from them in quick response to my request for cancellation of my account….

Hi Jennifer,

I just saw you note and I thought I would write you personally. First I am sorry that you are unhappy with the spacelocker sign up procedure. The intent was to make it easy to have friends join new users at the lockers. We put 2 different forms on the sign up page and put a notice on the page what each form does. We even put a warning in red letters on the left side form to read the the note on the page “before signing up”. We thought people would naturally choose the form that achieved what they wanted in spacelocker. Please see the forms here: http://www.spacelocker.com/signUp.php

However it appears our attempts to make things easy or to caution people sometimes does not work. We are looking at new ways to maintain the ease of invitation (that so many people like) but better get across to new users how the the process works.

Again I am sorry your joining spacelocker affected adversely. We will cancel you account as you wish. I hope you check back at spacelocker in the next few weeks and see what we have come up with.

Cheers,
Gaby
Spacelocker Ltd
www.spacelocker.com
the happiest space on earth

This is the email I sent to cancel my account (and the email that Gaby was replying to)….

Message : Cancel my account ASAP. I was reviewing your service for
possible inclusion in my blog. I would not recommend this service based
on the fact that it invited everyone on my contact list to join….a
function I do not like and find very embarrassing…it brings into
question my credibility with friends and colleagues. I do not recall
authorizing this access to my contact list. In fact, I tried to back
out of the subscribing process when I saw this function activated.
CANCEL MY ACCOUNT ASAP!!!!