Facebook has begun gathering information about users who also use Fandango, Overstock, and other online retailers. According to an AP article, this is an opt-out program but the check box to opt-out disappears after only 20 seconds. Other opt-out methods for the program are available, but only after the transaction has taken place and the story posted to your profile.

Users are claiming this is a privacy invasion, and it even appears to have ruined a Hanukkah surprise for at least one user.

How far is too far? Should my online buying decisions really be shared with all of my friends? Users can decline sharing on a site-by-site basis, but are unable to withdraw from the program completely.

Related Story at Slashdot
Update: TechCrunch has picked up the story, but failed to see the overall point… focusing instead of personal information a user enters being stored in “the matrix” instead of online shopping activities being tracked and broadcast to friends with barely an opt-out option.