Facebook Blocked Ping’s API Access

If you are a Ping user, you can’t see the Facebook connect any more on Ping. Wondering what has happened? Here is the answer from AllThingsD who explains the story.

According to sources familiar with Facebook’s platform, the social networking giant essentially denied Apple’s Ping access to application programming interfaces that would allow it to search for an iTunes user’s friends on Facebook who also had signed up for Ping.

Normally, this API access is open and does not require permission.

That is, unless some entity wants to access it a lot. In that case, Facebook requires an agreement for reasons primarily centered on protection of Facebook user data and, of course, infrastructure impact.

With 160 million iTunes users, that could potentially mean a lot of impact.

Sources said Apple (AAPL) and Facebook conducted negotiations about an agreement, but could not come to terms.

However, both the companies are in further talks on making use of Facebook connect on Ping. We hope it happens soon.

[Image credit : Gizmodo]