If you are an avid Facebook user, you’d better have a look at the changes proposed by the networking site in using the data you put online.
Facebook has given its users time till November 28 to come out with their feedback. Scores of Facebook users have expressed their displeasure over the proposed changes.
Facebook has done away with the voting option to take a final call on the changes.
No clear picture
The biggest problem is that it is not easy to understand the 17-page (when you take a printout) document that proposes changes. Since it is not mentioned what is there now, it will be difficult for you to understand what is new.
It also doesn’t give you a clear picture on how your personal information is used by it. It also keeps you in the dark on how long your messages will be kept after you delete your account.
If approved, the new policy will allow others to see the stuff on your Timeline, even after you ‘hid’ it. “When you hide things on your timeline, like posts or connections, it means those things will not appear on your timeline. When you hide things from your timeline, those posts are visible elsewhere, like in news feed, on other people’s timelines, or in search results,” Facebook points out.
Once you share information with your friends, they can download it using third party applications. “You should only share information with the people you trust because they will be able to save it or re-share it with others,” the policy says.
Facebook said it would use the information in connection with the services and features it provides the users. Its partners, advertisers and developers too would have access to the information, leaving scores of FB users fretting over the privacy of their data.
You should remember that there’s no absolute privacy on Facebook. Even if you restrict your profile and content to specific users, others can still peep into your Facebook life through your activity. When you don’t see a sharing icon, you must assume that it is publicly available.
Facebook is not clear about the “Changes to how we refer to certain products, like instant personalisation” mentioned in the proposal.
Criticism
The proposal to change the data use policy and lack of clarity in it draws widespread criticism by users. The majority of over 3,200 people who commented on the Facebook post have opposed the changes.
“Facebook users are not a commodity you can trade on the open market without any regard for the consequences these actions,” an angry user commented.
“We may share information we receive with businesses with our group companies. Our affiliates may share information with us as well. We and them may use shared info,” Facebook said.