Facebook adopts new privacy policy

Facebook on Tuesday announced that it has decided to adopt a revised privacy policy designed to be more accessible and easier to understand.

The social network had just completed a weeklong comment period for the new revision and, though "a lot of people participated," less than 7,000 members commented. According to Facebook's rules, this meant that a vote was unnecessary, Michael Richter, Facebook deputy general counsel, wrote in a company blog.

Overall, members supported the proposed changes, including the simplification of the language used to describe the policy and the document's new structure, Richter said.

The site also plans to add visual resources designed to make the document more accessible, such as a glossary of important terms and informational "learn more" videos. Facebook expects to post the revision in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish soon.

The revision is the latest chapter in Facebook's privacy saga. In July, an investigation by Canada's privacy commissioner suggested that Facebook is unconcerned with members' privacy and called on it to do more. Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart expressed concern that while it's easy for members to deactivate their accounts, the process of actually deleting them is less clear. Facebook could therefore retain member data from deactivated accounts for an indefinite period of time, in violation of Canadian privacy law.

The social network went through a user backlash over the introduction of its News Feed in 2006, and a bigger one over the controversial Beacon advertising program in 2007. More recently, a revision to Facebook's terms of use prompted consumer advocacy blog The Consumerist to highlight language that it said meant that Facebook claimed ownership of user profile data and photos.

[sharmajunior]

How many privacy policies will Facebook publish? I think I have seen them update it atleast 3 times in the past month or two.

[QueenZetabee]

Oops! Typo at the end of the article...

[lcview]

I'm appreciative of FB's continued effort in focusing on privacy protection. I would like to see FB add a feature that does not allow friends to tag you to photos. I don't want to have to always remove the tag, as I don't ever want to be tagged to photos.<br /><br />Does anybody know what happens when you become a fan of a Page or join a Group? Does the administrator of that Page/Group have access to your info &#38; photos? Or just minimal info?

[KneelBeforeZod80]

I agree about the tagging. I think you should have to provide permission to be tagged, such as with friend/relationship requests, rather than just allowing people tag you at will.

[QA_Tester]

By default this feature should be disabled. Those who want it can make a change by making changes to profile settings.

[davidc02]

Just minimal info

[lcview]

Thanks for answering my question.

[kingsnoofer]

I would rather see them update their policies as needed to meet legal demands and those of the community. If it means they have to update it monthly then so be it. It's better than them ignoring everyone and not evolving.

[ACLU_NorCal]

Facebook?s effort to create a comprehensive, easy-to-read privacy policy is a great first step, but they haven't actually done much to make personal information more private, just been a little more upfront about how not private Facebook info is. <br /><br /><br /><br />The ACLU of Northern California?s (today!) launched a new dotRights campaign where you can see how your favorite online activities make it harder for you to keep your private information private. Then go to the Action center to ask Facebook to keep details about your private life from being used, abused and sold to the highest bidder. It?s time to demand a privacy upgrade. <br /><br /><br /><br />[CNET editors' note: URL deleted]

[setjeff15081947]

Can't find the "Typo" at the end of the article; must be losing it here. <br />Privacy on Facebook®? When Donkeys Fly!

[jfalsken]

Facebook allows infrigement of creators copyrighted works and freely distribute images for anyone to use without consent of the creator or payment for such uasge. The site is a band of thieves and freely stealing copyrighted works for there own purposes and self gain! Without regard to the creator's loss or costs in producing such works. Facebook usage rights last longer than the legal copyright allows. I will not support a site that steals from it's users. I work hard to create my images and I do not care to just give them away for free for all to use. This is a service for thieves!