Facebook privacy U-turn gives users more control
- Added:
- Aug 28, 2009
Facebook has agreed to make worldwide changes to its privacy policy, following negotiations with Canada's privacy commissioner.
The move will mean users now have more control over the personal content they post on the social networking site, with clearer instructions over who can see their data. It will also make it clear that users can deactivate or delete their account.
Last month the social network was found to breach Canadian law by holding on to users' personal data indefinitely.
As well as updating the privacy policy, Facebook has said it will make changes that will give users more control over the data they provide to third-party developers of applications, such as games and quizzes.
There are around 950,000 developers in 180 countries who provide applications for the site.
Specifically, the changes will require applications to state which information they wish to access and obtain consent from the user before it is used or shared.
The site will also encourage users to review their privacy settings.
The social network has said work on the changes will begin immediately but they would take around 12 months to implement.
Elliot Schrage, vice president of global communications and public policy at Facebook, said he believed the new policies set "a new standard for the industry".
http://www.facebook.com/policy.php
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