Facebook Faces Access Tension

Technology start-ups are stepping up their bets on Facebook, as more developers create companies that rely on the social network's 750 million members, rather than build a user base of their own. But as other companies become more dependent on Facebook, the social network must walk a fine line between allowing unfiltered access to its users and exposing them to a flood of spam.

The issue, expected to be one of several hot topics Sept 22 at the Facebook developer conference known as f8, has become increasingly central to start-ups. In the past, entrepreneurs might have built a competing social network or made use of Facebook as a tool to drive traffic to their own sites. But now, companies like BranchOut, a professional network, and Yardsellr, a social e-commerce application, have emerged that rely entirely on the social network's users for their business. More such ventures are expected to pop up this year. The rise of such companies is likely to be apparent at f8, as Facebook is set to make a slew of announcements about integrating media more deeply into its network.