Facebook Changes Privacy Policy Again
January 30, 2013
In light of the Facebook’s aim to improve its search and make more money, the social network Web site changed its privacy policy yet again. Quartz has more info on the change in the article, “Ahead Of Graph Search Launch, Facebook Removed The Ability To Opt Out Of Search Results.” Facebook changed the privacy policy due to a new search tool called Graph Search that allows users to search their networks for queries about restaurants, friends’ locations, and likes. It is a big step up for Facebook as its search functions have been extremely limited. Facebook hopes that advertising and use more of its user data.
Users cannot opt out fully from search results, but they can still control who sees their content. The Federal Trade Commission has been keeping tabs on Facebook and its privacy policy and has issued a heavy fine if the social network refuses to follow rules:
“The FTC settlement mandates that Facebook submit to annual privacy audits for 20 years and pay $16,000 per day for any violations. It also requires Facebook to “obtain the user’s affirmative express consent” when adding a feature that “materially exceeds the restrictions imposed by a user’s privacy setting.” The changes to Facebook’s privacy policy in December may have given Facebook clearance to debut Graph Search, although for now, at least, the company is also asking users to sign up for the feature.”
Facebook makes it hard to keep your information private, so always remember to watch what you post. It will come up in search when you least expect it.
Whitney Grace, January 30, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Beyond Search
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