Comments on: Canadian official takes issue with Facebook privacy

A new report from Canada's privacy commissioner expresses concern about third parties accessing member data as well as how long Facebook holds onto the content from deactivated profiles.

[tram1]

What about the privacy of people who DON'T have or WANT a Facebook account? I work in IT and I refuse to share my life online with anyone. It's too Orwellian for me and I value my privacy too much. From a technical standpoint, I also understand how easily the data on their servers could be compromised. Therefore, I chose not to have a Facebook account. But that doesn't stop others from posting my pictures/info on Facebook. The only way I would be able to remove pictures tagged with my name would be to open an account myself. That's ridiculous and very unjust. I consider it an invasion of my privacy, and I have absolutely ZERO control over it.

[ddesy]

People have long been able to make simple, free web pages easily containing pictures and information about other people. Facebook is only as much as an invasion as any other site, user or company generated, is.

Don't blame Facebook. Blame those who post your information without your permission!

[tram1]

Funny, but I don't recall placing the blame on Facebook directly. It's a fantastic tool and people find it very useful. Of course it's the people posting who are ultimately responsible. My point is that I shouldn't have to police that to maintain my own personal privacy. The problem is that technology is evolving faster than privacy legislation can be written to protect people's privacy rights online. By the time they get around to it, it's too late.

[jessiethe3rd]

It's interesting how opening up your privacy has now become the cool thing. People do not understand the simple matters of how keeping your information can come back to haunt you. See Google's privacy statement and ability to retain your information indefinitely as yet another serious situation.

[sanenazok]

Another bureaucrat desperately trying to prove that he's necessary during a recession. Yes, yes, facebook violates some BS privacy rule. Who doesn't? Nobody's forced to use Facebook. I for one don't have the time.

[sanjayb]

So why doesn't our government just ban Facebook for Canadian users? Yeah what a great idea! NOT!

Just another stupid Canadian politician trying to win votes and look good.

[gdmaclew]

The Canadian Privacy Commiissioner is NOT a politician and therefore is not trying to win votes.
She is an Officer of Parliament and reports to the House of Commons and the Senate.

[Harrison912]

I use FaceBook mainly to socailly market my safety and security web site so I'm always interested in anything going on there. I have many customers in Canada so thanks, Caroline, for sharing ths little bit of Canadian/FaceBook news.

[aclu-nc]

Want to understand what this all means and how to change your Facebook privacy settings now to better protect your personal information? Check out the ACLU of Northern California Facebook Privacy Quiz at http://apps.facebook.com/aclunc_privacy_quiz/

More info at our blog at http://www.aclunc.org/techblog.