Facebook Forced to Change Privacy Policy

I know I complain about Facebook and its privacy policy all the time.  So much so, that my kids have told me to quit using it.  Well, they have done it for me and I have moved on to Google + where I have an easier way of controlling my info.

Even though I live a pretty public life, I do enjoy controlling what info I do share.  I love how privacy is one of the most important parts of European life.  You might be wondering how I would know about that.  The basis for this statement - I grew up in the US, I lived in Europe for 22 years and am now back in the US - missing my privacy.

The changes being forced on Facebook will have almost no impact on non-EU users. There would be no FB if it had started in the EU due to the fact that privacy is important there and very well protected by law. Unlike here in the US where privacy is ignored.

In 2012, Facebook will be making 45 privacy-related changes to comply with the recommendations of an audit by Ireland’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) released today.

45 Privacy Changes Facebook Will Make To Comply With Data Protection Law

Cookie Monster on Facebook Cookie diet

The only person I know of that really likes cookies is Cookie Monster.  He will take any cookie and enjoys all of them.  He likes chocolate chip, peanut butter and sugar cookies but I am not so sure he would like the cookies that Facebook is serving.

Josh Constine of Inside Facebook writes, “Facebook’s business is built on trust, but that trust has been shaken over the past few weeks by criticism and speculation regarding how it uses browser cookies to get data about users.”

He further writes, “A lack of thorough documentation explaining what each of its cookies does has led some observers to assume that the company is tracking offsite browsing behavior in order to target ads.”

If Facebook is not using this information to track its users why did it file for a patent that contains the line “A method is described for tracking information about the activities of users of a social networking system while on another domain”?

If they are not tracking you now, I’m sure they will be in the future.

Read more here.

With that info,

Safer Surfing!