Facebook密谋打造网上银行

    当然，也不是完全没有风险，比如那些假装朋友有难，要求用户通过Facebook汇钱的骗子信息。不过，联邦银行发言人称，只有能百分之百地保证客户的安全之后，它才会发布Facebook上的应用程序。此外，这类骗局在今天的虚拟媒介中早已见怪不怪，不太可能吓倒Facebook用户，他们发现在社交渠道中办理个人银行业务确实省时省力。

    虽然Facebook现在只是鼓励银行开设虚拟网点，其它行业也会对在这个平台上创建私人的封闭领地感兴趣。不错，人们现在只是去Facebook和伙伴们分享度假照片。既然如此，何不同时在Facebook领工资、买医疗保险或者向国税局（IRS）付账呢？

    Facebook坦然承认他们只是作为一个平台，所需内容仍然需要由用户来提供。但是，自我标榜为私密平台对于社交媒体界的贵妇Facebook来说还是太不寻常了。显然，Facebook自己也不会公开承认这一点。

    “Facebook是一个平台，也是一个伙伴型公司，”当被问及是否其它金融机构也将在Facebook上开设虚拟支行时，公司发表的声明称：“我们支持各行各业的品牌及代理利用我们的平台，更好地服务客户。”

    There are risks such as spam messages that could look like a friend in trouble, prompting users to send money through their Facebook app. But Commonwealth Bank says it won't launch the app unless it can offer customers a 100% guarantee of security, a spokesperson says. Plus scams like these are inherent to any virtual medium today, and unlikely to deter the Facebook user who finds banking from the social channel a time saver.

    And while Facebook may be encouraging banks to open virtual outposts today, other industries will likely also be interested in creating a private walled garden on the platform. Sure, people are coming to Facebook to share their vacation photos with pals. But why not collect their paycheck, buy medical insurance or pay the IRS there as well?

    The company makes no bones that it sees itself as a channel where users supply content with Facebook acting solely as the conduit. However, touting itself as a place for privacy is an unusual marketing pitch from social media's grand dame. And it's one that officially Facebook won't officially acknowledge.

    "Facebook is a platform and a partnership company," the company said in a statement when asked if other financial institutions would be opening virtual branches on Facebook soon. "We are supportive of brands and agencies, across industries, using the platform to better serve their customers."