Facebook users forge these ties when they install a Facebook application from a company, click a “Like” button on a company page or log into many third-party websites by using their Facebook accounts. In many cases, these actions also cause unknowing users to fork over their names, lists of friends, e-mail and home addresses, phone numbers and other personal info.

The Social Monitor tool was developed by Unsubscribe.com, which provides a popular service for opting out of unwanted mass e-mails. While investigating the market, Unsubscribe.com researchers discovered some unsettling trends with Facebook usage.