Briefcase

Apps may request Facebook user data

LOS ANGELES – Facebook has quietly opened the door for application developers to request a user’s addresses and phone numbers. The most popular social media site in the world announced the move on its Facebook Developer blog in a post Friday night by developer liaison Jeff Bowen.

For Facebook users, this means addresses and phone numbers already listed in their profiles will be given to a developer who requests such information by way of the “Request for Permission” dialog box that pops up when a user begins the process of adding an application to his or her profile.

Users have the ability to not share their numbers and addresses with an app as long as they choose “don’t allow” when an app dialog box pops up. But usually, if a user doesn’t allow an app access to his or her information, he or she won’t be able to use the app.

Los Angeles Times

Wal-Mart to buy part of South Africa chain

JOHANNESBURG – A South African chain’s shareholders have overwhelmingly accepted Wal-Mart’s offer to buy 51 percent of their company, the chief executive said Monday, paving the way for the giant U.S.-based retailer to enter Africa.

Massmart said the proposal was approved by 97 percent of shareholders who voted Monday. Wal-Mart offered 148 rand (about $20) per share in a roughly $2 billion deal. The deal will have to be approved by South Africa’s anti-monopoly regulators.

Massmart runs about 290 big box, pharmacy, electronics and other stores in 14 African countries.

Associated Press

Oil prices slip as euro declines

BANGKOK – Oil prices skidded to near $91 a barrel Monday in Asia as the dollar gained against the euro.

The contract rose 14 cents to settle at $91.54 a barrel on Friday.

The euro fell to $1.3271 from $1.3385 late Friday, making crude, which is bought and sold in dollars, more expensive for investors holding the European common currency.

Associated Press