Facebook has modified its privacy controls yet again, in the company's latest effort to help its members share as much information through the web site as they want.

The No. 1 social networking site in the world, currently with more than 200 million active global users, has struggled to find a middle ground between protecting members and giving them the requested freedom to share images and information about themselves.

For example, new image controls are in place to make it easier for Facebook members to control who is able to view the photo -- there have been recent scandals in which members mistakenly shared embarrassing photos with all of their friends, rather than just a couple people.

"You will have the choice of being as open or as limited in the sharing of this information as you want," according to Facebook in the company's latest official blog entry.  "That's why in the coming days, we'll be improving privacy on Facebook by launching a series of tests that guide people to new, simpler tools of control and connection."

Facebook profiles will now also have several layers of security and privacy, with profiles open to everyone, friends-only, restricted to a specific school, university or company, while regional networks have officially been phased out.  Around half of current Facebook members used regional networks, with most people electing to either have a completely open profile or one tied to a university or company.

The problem with regional networks, Facebook execs point out, was that there simply were too many choices for members: city, geographic region such as San Francisco Bay Area, wider region scope, state, or even country.

Since Facebook is built around sharing information, and there is growing pressure from Twitter and other social networking sites, Facebook has had trouble trying to protect members while also giving them basic freedoms they want.  In addition to the tools Facebook already has made available, the site will continue to roll out new features and controls to help members control the information they share and with whom they share it.