Facebook blunder sees 21,000 guests agree to turn up to schoolgirl's birthday party

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 12:44 PM on 20th September 2010

 

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A girl of 14 who mistakenly made her address and phone number public on Facebook while telling friends of her birthday party ended up with 21,000 promised guests.

Rebecca Javeleau sparked a police operation over fears thousands would flock to her father’s modest flat in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

Her mother used the social networking website to cancel the October 7 party by removing the page publicising the event.

 

Guarded: The street where Rebecca Javeleau lives in Harpenden, Herts. Police have stepped up patrols here in case crowds turn up looking to cause chaos

 

But other users created new groups informing users of the party and even circulated the girl’s picture

In response, police have been forced to step up patrols in Miss Javeleau’s street amid fears crowds will turn up and cause chaos.

Her mother, Rebecca Livesey, said she was furious, adding: ‘She will be lucky to get a birthday card from me after this.’

The girl, a pupil at Sir John Lawes School, had meant to invite 15 friends to her 15th birthday celebrations.

But, within hours of appearing online, the event escalated out of control and at one point 21,000 Facebook users had clicked the RSVP button.

Included on the guest list were fake profiles for celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Stephen Hawking, Susan Boyle, Stevie Wonder and Rick Astley

After Miss Livesey found out and took down the page, a series of spin-off groups including 'pre-party', ‘after-party’ and ‘hangover’ events sprung up on the web.

Several fake profiles were set up claiming to be Miss Javeleau. In the 'Info' section of one, a prankster has left the message: 'Her party will go down in history.'

Sergeant Lewis Ducket, of Hertfordshire Police, said: ‘We are aware of this and have been assured that the event is no longer taking place.

 

Fake profile: One page claiming to be Miss Javeleau's provides a party message

 

‘We will have officers on patrol in the area on October 7 to provide a reassuring presence and who will be able to deal with any issues, should they arise.’

The blunder raises more concerns about Facebook amid comcens that privacy settings are too complicated.

In February, a family’s home in Merseyside was trashed after a similar error was made by a teenager.

Miss Livesey, 40, who is separated from her two daughters father Duane Javeleau, criticised Facebook for its ‘unclear’ privacy settings.

The social worker told the Daily Telegraph: ‘They should make it obvious that an event that is created is not just going out to your friends, but everyone else on the site.’

Facebook declined to comment.

 

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313565/Facebook-blunder-sees-21k-guests-agree-turn-schoolgirls-party.html#ixzz104iVAFMr

I don't know what comcens are.

There was me expecting to see pictures of a seriously messed up house after a massive out of control party :(

There was me expecting to see pictures of a seriously messed up house after a massive out of control party :(

 

Haven't you seen enough of those already?:P

These young ones need to be taught how important privacy settings are! Arghhhh!