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Facebook Users Voting On Privacy, Instagram, Other Issues

Posted by timothy on from the so-dnc-donors-control-the-election dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes "Facebook is letting users vote on changes to its Data Use Policy and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (Facebook users can vote via this link). The company will also host a live Webcast to answer questions at 9:30 AM PST. One section of Facebook's revamped policies insists that the network can share information with its family of companies. This apparently applies to Instagram, the photo-sharing service acquired by Facebook earlier this year. Under the terms of the provision, Facebook can store 'Instagram's server logs and administrative records in a way that is more efficient than maintaining totally separate storage systems.' Facebook is also clarifying its language surrounding affiliates, as well. As long as Facebook continues to exist in its current form, these debates over its privacy rules will almost certainly continue to crop up on a semi-regular basis. The challenge for Facebook executives is how to best maintain that delicate dance between their need for revenue, advertising firms' desire for effective marketing campaigns, and users' rights to privacy. They run a corporation — but at moments, it also starts to resemble a messy democracy."

10 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. In Keeping with US Voting Traditions by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny

    There are only two options. Both options are super shitty and laced with lies or "half truths."

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:In Keeping with US Voting Traditions by Jetra · · Score: 3, Interesting

      *Deletes Facebook account* Option three.

    2. Re:In Keeping with US Voting Traditions by kelemvor4 · · Score: 3, Funny

      As a political social engineer*, I can tell you that we consider "half truths" and the like to be the best kind of lies. Because you can tell people that they are not lies, and people will accept that, because they think only positive lies (where you say something wrong) would be lies, and not negative lies (where you don't say something right).

      That makes some things incredibly easy. You can openly lie your ass off, and they got nothing, even though they know it's all blatant lies.

      (* Don't worry, I'm not working for either "side". I never was in the US in my life, and never will be.)

      But what aren't you saying here?

  2. Not a Democracy by nman64 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Never, ever mistake a company collecting feedback from its users for a democracy. Facebook's users aren't even its paying customers.

    1. Re:Not a Democracy by Desler · · Score: 3, Informative

      Wrong. Democracy only means that all eligible citizens have equal say in the decisions of the body politic. This can be either directly or indirectly through elected representatives. Both are still democracy.

  3. Options by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "They run a corporation â" but at moments, it also starts to resemble a messy democracy."

    At first, I was going to roll my eyes (as if the submitter actually implied that this gesture resembled democracy in reality in any way), but then I reliased what a genius comment this was.

    Of course it resembles a messy democracy: it's a meaningless facade presented by a corporation.

  4. LOL, epic fail ... by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Informative

    So if you already have your permissions a little restrictive and don't allow apps, when you go there you get confronted with this:

    Start Now Apps and Games
    You are about to use Facebook Site Governance, a Start Now app. These apps start with your name, profile picture, other public info and friend list to immediately personalize your experience on Facebook.
    Opt Out at Any Time
    There are two ways to stop using this app and its personalization features. The first few times you use it, click Disable in the banner at the top. You can also remove it in App Settings.
    To opt out of all Start Now apps, visit your Instant Personalization Settings. Learn more about instant personalization.

    So, in order to participate in this voting, you need to agree to even more access by this thing just to find out what it looks like.

    Facebook really are a bunch of asses aren't they? This is the same setting which wants to be used by apps and games to give them access to all of your data.

    Will someone please lock Zuckerface into a room with a bear or something?

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  5. failbork by Korruptionen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    To be honest, there is NOTHING that makes me think of privacy when using FaceBook. To me... there privacy is an illusion, nothing more.

  6. Vote no or vote no more by aaron44126 · · Score: 5, Informative

    One of the changes in the new set of documents is the removal of this community voting process. Ars Technica has a brief article on the changes.

  7. Re:Actually, it is a big deal, in the long run. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Facebook isn't just a "website". It's size and reach are helping define what people expect of privacy. I have not ever had a Facebook account, yet I fully expect my future expectations of privacy to hinge on what the masses accept on Facebook. If Facebook sticks around and sets trends and expectations for years to come, what happens there matters. If millions of Americans grant access to something I might consider private, the government may stop defining that thing with a reasonable expectation of privacy. Even if *I* never granted that access.
    So, while smarmy isn't productive, some sort of attitude is relevant here. Maybe attitude is what's necessary to get people thinking about what's at stake?