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  (Source: profile.ak.fbcdn.net)
EU data-protection regulators believe Facebook needs some clarification on how user privacy works

Facebook is known for crossing the limits when it comes to user privacy. For instance, the social networking giant gave apps access to personal information like user phone numbers and addresses. 

More recently, Facebook is facing criticism for its facial recognition feature, which allows users to tag friends in uploaded Facebook photos quickly and easily by scanning faces in the pictures and suggesting names. 

This facial recognition feature was originally announced in December 2010, and would be initially introduced in the United States. But earlier this week, Facebook admitted that the feature had become available to users internationally without notifying them about it first. 

"We should have been more clear with people during the roll-out process when this became available to them," said Facebook in an e-mail statement.

Now, Facebook is under scrutiny for its facial recognition feature in Europe. The European Union data-protection regulators will question Facebook regarding its actions, asking why the company felt it was appropriate to automatically activate this feature on users' profiles without their consent. 

"We launched Tag Suggestions to help people add tags of their friends in photos; something that's currently done more than 100 million times a day," said Facebook in an email statement. "Tag suggestions are only made to people when they add new photos to the site, and only friends are suggested."

Facebook also noted that the feature can be disabled, but its difficult for users to disable it if they don't even know they have the feature. Many worry that this new facial recognition feature could link personal information like email addresses to the photos within the database. 

"Tags of people on pictures should only happen based on people's prior consent and it can't be activated by default," said Gerard Lommel, a Luxembourg member of the so-called Article 29 Data protection Working Party. He also noted that Facebook's actions could "bear a lot of risks for users" and that the EU will "clarify to Facebook that this can't happen like this."

Regulators in both the United Kingdom and Ireland will be investigating the new feature and will talk to Facebook about it. 

The facial recognition feature can be disabled by logging into Facebook, clicking on "Account" and choosing "Privacy Settings." Then, click "Customize Settings," and locate the "Things Others Share" section. There is a "Suggest Photos of Me to Friends" option; click "Edit Settings" and choose "Disabled," then click "OK."

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Truths
By therealnickdanger on 6/9/2011 11:14:52 AM , Rating: 3
1. Facebook is a public network. One should not expect any more privacy than if he were attending a baseball game. Don't yell "fire", don't take off your pants, don't cop a feel. Also, you might show up in someone else's photo.

2. Facebook's privacy features are extensive and deep, but could stand to be more user friendly. As shown in the article, finding the proper setting buried beneath multiple links can be challenging.

3. Facebook's privacy features, when properly engaged, can allow even the most paranoid and/or anti-social individual to effectively lock down his account. Your privacy is what you make it.

4. If you don't like it, you don't have to use it.




RE: Truths
By Peter898 on 6/9/11, Rating: 0
RE: Truths
By NullSubroutine on 6/9/2011 11:49:58 AM , Rating: 2
Guess a word or a name? Are we playing hangman now?


RE: Truths
By therealnickdanger on 6/9/2011 1:47:05 PM , Rating: 2
I'm sensing some Engrish.

The founder of Paypal financed Facebook in its early days. Or was he a CIA stooge? Anyway, yes, Facebook is a public network. Don't confuse that with a "publically held company". Facebook is a "public network" in the sense that you need not be a member to view Facebook content - depending upon individual privacy settings, of course.


RE: Truths
By Solandri on 6/9/2011 2:37:32 PM , Rating: 4
The one and only truth about Facebook is this: Do you pay for it? No? That's your big fat clue that you are not the customer, you are the product. Facebook's business model is to entice you into using their services, so they can take your personal info, behavior, habits, and eyeballs and sell them to advertisers. Same as Google and broadcast TV.

To expect Facebook not to violate your privacy is like sticking your hand inside a shark's mouth and expecting it not to bite. Sure they'll make token gestures of privacy features in response to criticism. But like the smell from a venus flytrap attracts insects, the purpose of these "privacy features" is to further entice you into using their service, not to offer any real protection. If they really allowed you true privacy it would undercut their business model, which would be suicidal for the company. So by definition, they can't give you privacy - their existence depends on violating your privacy.

If you're ok with giving up your privacy in exchange for what Facebook offers, then that's fine. You're knowingly making that trade, and feel it's advantageous for you. But if you're using Facebook and expecting them to honor your "right to privacy," I have two aphorisms for you:

You can't get something for nothing.
There's a sucker born every minute (who thinks they can get something for nothing).


RE: Truths
By geddarkstorm on 6/9/2011 4:53:38 PM , Rating: 2
It's amazing how easily people overlook these facts you post. Want to play their game, you'll be forced to play by their rules.


RE: Truths
By Tyhr on 6/9/2011 6:51:51 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Facebook is a public network. One should not expect any more privacy than if he were attending a baseball game.
Not sure I like the "public network/baseball" analogy. At a baseball game, the workers will ask to see my ID when I order a beer. I do NOT expect them to announce my age and address to everyone in attendance over the speaker system after showing my ID. I think that information should be private.

As for "If you don't like it, don't use it"...
I would not like to think that if I do not like or want my age announced publically over the speaker system that my only option is to either not order a beer or not attend a baseball game. I think expecting a certain amount of respect of privacy is reasonable.


Privacy first...
By jrs77 on 6/9/11, Rating: 0
RE: Privacy first...
By Cheesew1z69 on 6/9/2011 2:17:33 PM , Rating: 2
We were able to vote for/against the Patriot Act? What?


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