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Facebook Tweaks Privacy Tools To Ease Discontent Over Data Leak (reuters.com)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

Facebook has adjusted privacy settings to give users more control over their information in a few taps, it said on Wednesday, after an outcry over a whistleblower's allegations that members' data was used to sway the 2016 U.S. election. From a report: It put all the settings on one page and made it easier to change and more straightforward to stop apps using data. Until now changing settings had been complex, spread over at least 20 screens, which had frustrated users. The world's largest social network said in a blog post it had been working on the updates for some time but sped things up to appease users' anger over how the company uses their data and as lawmakers around the globe called for strong regulation. "Last week showed how much more work we need to do to enforce our policies and help people understand how Facebook works and the choices they have over their data," Facebook wrote in the blog post on Wednesday.

7 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Too little by nucleartool · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It seems like this new feature was waiting to be launched much like those news articles ready for when people of fame/stature die. I wouldn't trust them. This tool is a reaction to the news and stock value, not because they want to empower users.

    1. Re:Too little by jellomizer · · Score: 2

      Agreed. It seems like an I'm sorry we got caught, vs. an I'm sorry for what I did.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Too little by datavirtue · · Score: 2

      It also demonstrates that they were purposefully acting shady to begin with.

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  2. Translation by jenningsthecat · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Last week showed how much more work we need to do to enforce our policies and help people understand how Facebook works and the choices they have over their data

    Last week showed that the jig's up, and that at least for a little while we have to pretend that we give a shit about the concerns of Facebook users by making a show of giving them the illusion of control over their data. Dumb fucks.

    --
    'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
  3. In other words... by Virtucon · · Score: 2

    Facebook gets caught hawking your data and has to scramble to release that project that Jerry was working on down the hall in a hurry.

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    Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
  4. No change. by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If you think Facebook tweaking the setting page is going to change how they have been doing things for the last 14 years then you are as dumb as they think you are.

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    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
  5. they always knew by Jodka · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I suspect that Facebook has always know that their privacy settings controls were confusing and difficult to use, in fact made them that way on purpose, the more so to profit by selling customer information. They have resorted only now to fixing that preemptively under looming threats of fines and litigation.

    Zuckerberg is the Bill Gates of his era. There have always been two Silicon Valley archetypes. Steve Jobs and Elon Musk embody one, those with a powerful ambition to realize something great by means of business. Musk wants futuristic transportation for mankind. Jobs wanted awesome product design for the masses. Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, represent pure profiteering. Microsoft products are an abomination which achieved market dominance only because of strategic marketing and Facebook is gross and addictive. The choice between "We can make this better for our customers" or "we can make another dollar" defines who is which.

    You can kind of tell who is which type according to who is admired. You see a lot of intense hero worship with Jobs and Musk. Little to none with Gates and Zuckerberg.

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    Ceci n'est pas une signature.