Facebook offers apology for ‘Year in Review’ app

The latest Facebook gimmick is a customized timeline labeled “Year In Review.” It’s a collection of your photos most “liked” by fellow Facebook travelers, put into a sort of album with the default tagline “It’s been a great year! Thanks for being a part of it.” Photos are chosen algorithmically via computer programs designed, launched and operating on their own. For some, the most memorable event may have been depressing or even tragic, and their Facebook-generated “Year in Review” can be a distressing reminder. Web design consultant Eric Meyer had such an experience. “For those of us who lived through the death of loved ones, or spent extended time in the hospital, or were hit by divorce or losing a job or any one of a hundred crises, we might not want another look at this past year,” Meyer wrote on his blog. In Meyer’s case, Facebook did apologize.

It’s valuable feedback. We can do better – I’m very grateful he [Meyer] took the time in his grief to write the blog post.

Jonathan Gheller, the product manager for Facebook’s “Year in Review” app, told The Washington Post

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