Really? I was specifically taught by multiple Japanese teachers that they mean "according to." Of course, that would be the English meaning, so that could explain how the wires got crossed.
You honestly can't say 友達によってミスターインクレディブルがおもしろい? You have to use によると?
Wow, that's a big anvil dropped on my head after years of using them interchangeably.
How many more grammar points have I been using incorrectly all these years without knowing so?
This is
exactly why I never claim to be "fluent," and why I caution people use that term willy nilly. I mean, I was 100% sure I was right when I made that comment. Darnit.