Serious about privacy? Stay off Facebook!

Last week Facebook unveiled proposed changes to its Data Use Policy (DUP) and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) and, as is usually the case when Facebook makes any changes, privacy advocates and conspiracy theorists immediately started speculating about the dire consequences for the more than 1 billion Facebook members.

To give Facebook its due, not only did it highlight the major changes to each document in a blog post but it also provided redlined copies of both the DUP and SRR so interested parties could examine the amendments in greater detail. However, judging by the subsequent coverage both in print and online, that did little to allay the suspicions of many commentators.

In many ways, Facebook is a victim of its own success. Companies make changes to their DUPs (Privacy Policies) and SRRs (Terms of Service) all the time but none of them attract the scrutiny that Facebook does. Perhaps that’s understandable – Facebook effectively trades in our private information, albeit private information that we are only too happy to hand over free of charge.

Facebook is also learning what it’s like to be a big company. Back in 2009, to help ward off mounting criticism over constant changes to its DUP, Facebook decided that if it received more than 7,000 comments on a particular change it would put the change up for a vote. The result of the vote would be binding on Facebook if more than 30% of all active registered users actually voted.

Now, as many people pointed out at the time, such a process, while appearing democratic and empowering, was mostly a PR exercise. Even when membership was “only” 300 million, the likelihood of 90 million of those members bothering to vote was nonexistent. So even back then, Facebook was free to make whatever changes it desired, just as long as it didn’t upset too many of the faithful.

And, of course, therein lies the key to Facebook’s success and its continuing ability to do virtually whatever it likes with our information. Despite the dozens of privacy flaps over its 8-year existence, multiple fines and sanctions imposed by U.S. and European regulators, and a myriad of private lawsuits, Facebook continues to attract and retain tens of millions of fans, passing the 1 billion mark in total membership only last month.

Subconsciously or not, the overwhelming majority of Facebook members waive their rights to privacy as soon as they sign up. Why else would we blindly give Facebook our personal data, including school and work background, family photos, details of our relationships, and so much more. The fact that Facebook then uses that information to make money is inconsequential to most users; we are more concerned with how many people “liked” our new profile picture or who got drunk at the 10-year college reunion.

If you are really serious about online privacy, then go straight to page 4 of the new Facebook DUP. That’s where you will find instructions on how to deactivate and delete your account!

Are you concerned about Facebook privacy? Share your thoughts with The Online Mom!

Comments:

  1. For most up-to-date information you have to pay a
    quick visit internet and on the web I found this web site as
    a finest web page for newest updates.

  3. Hey are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying
    to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding knowledge to
    make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  4. I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be exactly
    I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for you personally?
    I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write in relation to here.
    Again, awesome weblog!

  5. Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also create
    comment due to this sensible paragraph.

  7. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff
    previous to and you are just extremely wonderful.

    I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and
    the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
    I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful website.

  8. I have been browsing online greater than 3 hours today, yet I never found any fascinating
    article like yours. It is pretty price enough for me.

    Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content material as
    you did, the internet will likely be much more useful than ever before.

  9. I’m not sure why but this website is loading very
    slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
    I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  11. Hi there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better!
    Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He continually kept talking about this. I am going to forward this
    article to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read.
    Thanks for sharing!

  13. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after going through some of the posts I realized it’s
    new to me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!

  14. Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger,
    and I was curious about your situation; we have created some nice
    procedures and we are looking to swap methods with others,
    please shoot me an email if interested.

  15. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time
    locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand
    over time.

  16. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a
    blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
    I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  17. What’s up, all the time i used to check web site posts here in the early hours in the break of day, as i enjoy
    to find out more and more.

  19. I believe that is one of the such a lot important info for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. However wanna statement on some general issues, The
    site style is wonderful, the articles is really great :
    D. Excellent process, cheers

  20. Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was super
    long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.

    Do you have any tips for rookie blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

  21. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your site,
    how could i subscribe for a weblog site? The account helped me
    a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast
    offered bright transparent concept

  23. Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know
    a few of the images aren’t llading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both
    how the samje results.

    My blog post :: online Stripchat

  24. Hi there! I know this is kihda off toopic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guet writing a blog post or vice-versa?
    My site addresses a lot of the same topics ass yours and
    I think we couild greatly benefit from each other.
    If you’re interested feel free to sebd me an e-mail. I look forward to
    haring from you! Excellent blog by the way!

    My site: adult porn

  28. Attractive component to content. I simply stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I gett actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Any way I’ll bbe subsdcribing on your feeds or even I achievement
    you get admission to constantly fast.

    Look into my page enjoy teen nudes

  29. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not wriiting all that over again.
    Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog!

    My blog; deutsche pornos

  31. Wonderful items from you, man. I have have in mind your stuff prior to and
    you’re simply extremely fantastic. I actually like what you’ve got right here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which by
    which you are saying it. You make it entertaining and you still
    care for to stay it sensible. I can not wait to learn much more
    from you. That is actually a tremendous site.

  32. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive
    a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and
    she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share
    it with someone!

  33. Heya! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to
    ask. Does building a well-established blog
    such as yours require a large amount of work?
    I’m completely new to operating a blog however I do write in my diary every day.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and
    thoughts online. Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.

    Thankyou!

  36. I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your blog. Do you
    ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but
    looks great in Safari. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

  37. Hi there, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was
    just wondering if you get a lot of spam
    comments? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you
    can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any
    help is very much appreciated.

  42. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
    checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three emails with the
    same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

  43. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.
    You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some articles for your
    blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
    Many thanks!

  45. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I
    am inspired! Very helpful information specifically the final
    section 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular
    info for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.

  46. In fact when someone doesn’t know afterward its up to
    other users that they will assist, so here it occurs.

  47. I am really impressed along with your writing abilities as
    well as with the layout in your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it yourself?
    Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one
    these days..

  48. Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some
    help from an established blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick.

    I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or
    suggestions? With thanks

  49. Thank you for every other great post. The place else may anybody get that type of info in such a perfect method of
    writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.

  51. Thank you for any other informative web site.
    The place else may I get that type of information written in such a perfect method?
    I have a challenge that I am simply now working on,
    and I have been on the glance out for such information.

  58. If some one needs to be updated with newest technologies
    after that he must be visit this website and be up to date every day.

  60. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of area .
    Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site.
    Reading this information So i’m happy to show
    that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I
    needed. I such a lot indubitably will make certain to
    don?t disregard this site and provides it a look on a continuing basis.

  62. Pretty component of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to say that I get actually loved account your blog
    posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your feeds and even I achievement you get
    admission to persistently fast.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

7 Facebook privacy settings that require your attention

7 Steps to Improved Online Security

Facebook Scams: A Growing Problem

Facebook’s Graph Search gets personal

sad-girl

Want to be happy? Stay off Facebook!