In today’s Quick Hits, we talk about the return of the Facebook tracking cookie, firing employees for social media posts, the fight against online scammers, and a privacy lawsuit against the Internet radio station Pandora.

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Controversial Facebook Tracking Cookie Returns

According to Australian hacker Nic Cubrilovic, Facebook recently reactivated a controversial tracking cookie. According to ZDNet, “the cookie was being set even if the user had never been to the Facebook site, and even if he or she didn’t click on a given Facebook widget.” The first time this cookie was exposed, it led to widespread criticism of Facebook and a prominent article in the Wall Street Journal.

Facebook Beefs Up Fight Against Scammers

Every day, scammers and other cyber-criminals use Facebook to con people out of money or sensitive personal information. Now, Facebook is taking steps to protect users from scammers. According to CNN, “[Facebook] is teaming up with Websense, a San Diego, California-based Internet security firm, to warn users when they’re about to leave Facebook for a site that might be trying to steal their personal data.” This prompt will help users avoid phishing attacks and protect their personal information online.

Judge Backs Car Dealership in Social Media Firing

The National Labor Relations Board has stepped up to defend several individuals who were fired from their jobs over social media posts, but a recent ruling reveals that the organization is being careful in its considerations. According to the Chicago Tribune, an administrative law judge at the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that ”a BMW car dealership in Lake Bluff did not violate federal labor law in firing a salesman after he embarrassed the company in a Facebook post.” The employee’s post criticized the car dealership for serving low-quality food instead of something that better reflected the dealership’s luxury brand.

Pandora Sued for Sharing User Data

The popular Internet radio service Pandora has been sued for sharing user data. According to The Register, “Michigan’s Video Rental Privacy Act has been cited in a new class action lawsuit against Pandora, claiming $5,000 damages per person. The lawsuit says that by making playlists and histories public and searchable by Google, privacy was violated.” The Pandora lawsuit echos concerns over the music sharing site Spotify, which recently ran into trouble over a forced integration with Facebook that left many users sharing listening information that they wanted to keep private.