On January 30, 2018 Facebook changed their polices for the free API v2.12.
Over the past weeks Team NodeXL has adapted the Facebook importers to accomodate these changes.
Two new importers are now available in version .395 and higher in the NodeXL Pro>Data>Import menu:
The new NodeXL Pro Facebook Fan Page Network importer is now updated to comply with the limitations of the new Facebook API changes. This API will no longer deliver "Reactions" or the names of the authors of Comments on Posts. This results in a fragmentation and anonymization of most of the network.
The new NodeXL Pro Facebook Fan Page Admin Network importer retains all of the functionality of the older "regular" Fan Page importer but requires that the user be an Admin on that page.
The new NodeXL Pro Facebook Fan Pages Network importer collects the network of connections created when a Fan Page "Likes" another Fan Page. Users may search for and enter one or more Fan Pages and build the network of their connections.
Editorial
Here at the Social Media Research Foundation we observe the recent issues related to Facebook and other social media platforms. Much of the debate is framed as a need to limit access to data.
In the midst of this we should remember that:
People should have access to their own data.
Groups should have access to their own collective data.
Data we do not possess we do not control.
Independent analysis of social media is needed to validate claims made by the platforms.
This tweet from Prof. David Lazar is a good summary of the need to retain access to social data for research and personal use:
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