Facebook Says EU 'Right To Be Forgotten' Would Harm Privacy

judgecorp writes "The European Commission has proposed a "right to be forgotten" online, which would allow users to remove personal data they had shared. The idea has had a lot of criticism, and now Facebook claims it would actually harm privacy. Facebook says the proposal would require social media sites to perform extra tracking to remove data which has been copied to other sites — but privacy advocates say Facebook has misunderstood what the proposal is all about."

Comments

Misunderstood?

[mcgrew]

privacy advocates say Facebook has misunderstood what the proposal is all about."

Misunderstood, my ass. Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest.

Re:Misunderstood?

[gstoddart]

Misunderstood, my ass. Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest.

Yeah, I'd have to say this is a willful 'misunderstanding'.

Facebook's commodity is your data. That's how they make money. They don't want to be told that they would be required to delete your data upon request.

Any time you see Facebook saying "Privacy laws would harm privacy", the real thing they're saying is "but that would cut into profits".

Re:Misunderstood?

[Anonymous Brave Guy]

Dear Facebook,

Thank you for your response to our legal position.

As you have not complied, your assets across the EU have been frozen, and any executive who sets foot in any EU nation is subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.

Love and hugs,
The guys who actually still make the laws over here

I think when the EU starts fining them substantial amounts and/or issuing arrest warrants, Facebook will notice. Contrary to common belief on US-centric forums like Slashdot, the EU does actually have teeth when it comes to US tech firms taking liberties, and has been known to bite.

In case anyone thinks this is just hyperbole, consider that the EU (both citizenry and government) is getting very fed up with the US (both corporations and government) thinking that it can dictate how everyone else's legal systems and business regulations should work. Anything that screws Facebook while strengthening the EU data protection/privacy position and generating income for the EU via fines is basically a political/economic win/win proposition for the people who are going to be driving the process. Pretty much the only potential downside is losing favour with the US government with consequences elsewhere, but right now the US government is pretty unpopular with everyone so that probably doesn't matter much.

Problem solved

[golden age villain]

Facebook says the proposal would require social media sites to perform extra tracking to remove data which has been copied to other sites

Maybe they can start by not copying user data to other sites.

Privacy has nothing to do with it

[Adrian Lopez]

To grant one person the right to be forgotten is to deprive another of the right to remember. The sharing of information once legitimately published cannot become illegitimate just because the person involved doesn't want it to be known. The "right" to be forgotten is a form of censorship and has nothing at all to do with privacy.

Re:Privacy has nothing to do with it

[Desler]

But what if you never gave it to them?

Re:In other news...

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery

As we approach the 30th anniversary I propose we add these to the list:

Sharing is Stealing
Privacy is Terrorism