The social networking site Facebook has agreed to make changes to do a better job protecting the privacy of its users. These privacy safeguards come after negotiations with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, which told Facebook last month that its practices did not comply with Canadian privacy law. About 12 million Canadians, or about a third of Canada's population, use Facebook. The privacy changes being made by Facebook will apply worldwide, as similar concerns have been expressed in other countries. Facebook has more than 250 million users globally.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner warns users that most of the changes being made will just do a better job of informing users what is being done with their information. It is up to individuals to make note of how their personal information is being used and make appropriate choices to protect their own information. The Privacy Commissioner also reminds users that information that has already been provided cannot be taken back.
Facebook has agreed to:
- allow users to control the type of information third-party applications like quizzes and games can access. An application will be prevented from accessing information until it obtains express consent for each category of personal information it wishes to access.
- make it clear to users that they can either deactivate or delete their accounts. Users will have to delete their accounts to remove information entirely.
- include more information in its terms-of-use statement on how it uses the email addresses of non-users who are invited to join the site.
- clarify in its privacy policy that users' profiles will be kept after they die, so friends can pay tribute.
The changes will take about a year to be put in place.
It is expected that other social networking sites may follow Facebooks's example. Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, told reporters her office has already been approached by another site looking for help.
Photo: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
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Comments
Can Facebook go one better and do SOMETHING…..PLEASE….about some of the disgusting language that turns up on Facebook posts? I’ve seen almost everything, including four letter words, used in some posts and my concern is that someone who I invite as a friend on Facebook might see the same stuff that I do.
the only time someone is going to see other people swearin is if they let them…. there is away that everyone doesn’t see what your personal info, or comments, and posts.