Have You Read the New Facebook Privacy Rules…Again??

Notes taken by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Content also featured on WBTV's Protecting Your Cyberturf segment featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.  Segment airs Wednesdays at ten past 5pm.

It feels like Groundhog day!  I think it wasn’t that long ago that Facebook updated their privacy settings and we encourage you to read them.  Well, after a review with the Irish privacy board, Facebook has completed another round of changes.  Are they good changes for us or Facebook?  That’s what you really want to know!

Well, it’s a little bit of both and a lot of people find the timing very interesting.  The Irish Privacy board did a review, Facebook has their IPO coming up, so what does all this mean?  Cyber expert, Theresa Payton, isn’t impressed.  In fact, she thinks we should all speak up about our privacy concerns to Facebook.    

Read the Privacy Statement:
1.  Caution:  There is a lot to read
2.  YOUR Data Storage:  No commitment as to how short or long they keep your data on file:  "as long as it is necessary to provide services."
3.  Your Data is Public:  Your cover photo and gender are considered PUBLIC information - it does not matter how tight your privacy settings are.  You can “hide” your gender in timeline but it will be passed to advertisers.  Great quote from the policy:  “If you’re uncomfortable with making your profile pictures or cover photos public, you can always delete them.”
4.  They know your location:  And they confirm what they grab whenever you connect to Facebook:  “We receive data from the computer, mobile phone or other device you use to access Facebook. This may include your IP address, location, the type of browser you use, or the pages you visit.”

WORD FOR THE WEEK:
NOTCOM malware.  This is a piece of malware that is downloading on Droid phones when they visit compromised sites.  Be careful!  It may end up prompting you to install a “security update” which could be a red flag.  When in doubt, contact your phone provider.

WEB RESOURCES:

Facebook Memo to Members from Erin Egan, Chief Privacy Officer, Policy:  
https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-and-privacy/enhancing-transparency-in-our-data-use-policy/356396711076884

Explanation of Changes:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10151726574510301

Cookies:
https://www.facebook.com/help/?page=176591669064814)

Data Use Policy:
http://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/

Facebook is accepting feedback until May 18, 2012.  You can submit comments by following these links.  Additional languages are available on the Facebook site:

• English (Comment here) (Explanation of changes) (Tracked changes)

• Espanol (Envia tus comentarios) (Explicacion de los cambios)