Facebook users will have noticed in recent days that Facebook have changed their privacy settings in an apparent attempt to make it easier for users to control their profiles, however, not everyone is in favour.
The move has resulted in 10 privacy groups in the US filing a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission because they believe that users’ privacy has been compromised.
Although the change may have made it easier to control user settings, it has also made it easier for content to be shared with hundreds of millions of Facebook users worldwide.
There are basically three settings available and these are Friends, Friends of Friends, and Everyone.
Facebook is encouraging users to open up their profiles by recommending that users go for the third setting which means that absolutely everyone on Facebook will be able to view photo albums and basic information about the user although contact details should remain open only to friends.
The complaint to the Federal Trade Commission filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Centre was signed by no less than nine other groups who are also concerned about privacy all of whom complain that the change to the privacy settings had “adversely impacted users”.
“Facebook’s changes to users’ privacy settings disclose personal information to the public that was previously restricted,” read the complaint.
“These changes violate user expectations, diminish user privacy, and contradict Facebook’s own representations” the complaint says.
The Electronic Privacy Information Centre is asking for the Federal Trade Commission to look into it and investigate the popular social networking site.
However, Facebook have said that they had actually discussed their plans to change the privacy settings with the Federal Trade Commission before implementing the changes.
According to the BBC, Face book Chief Executive Mark Zukerberg himself had his personal photos published by the media after the privacy changes had been made but he maintained that he had intentionally allowed more access.
“I set some of my content to be more private, but I didn’t see a need to limit visibility of pics with my friends, family or my teddy bear” he said.
Ok so there are a number of questions that spring to mind here. Is there a hidden reason for opening up the profiles? Are Facebook users about to be bombarded with targeted ads? Does it make it easier to meet new friends? Is it a wise move?
What do you think?
