Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Facebook Promises Privacy Tool 'Clear History' (cnet.com)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

Facebook is introducing a new privacy tool called "clear history," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday with a personal Facebook post. From a report: The tool will allow you to see information about the apps and websites you've interacted with, and you'll be able to clear this information from your account. The news came less within hours of the kickoff keynote at on Facebook's F8 developer conference, which is being held in San Jose. The mostly-annual conference began as a time for Facebook to announce major initiatives, such as its technology to connect user's accounts with websites around the web, as well as revamped designs for user's profile pages. In a statement, Zuckerberg said, "In your web browser, you have a simple way to clear your cookies and history. The idea is a lot of sites need cookies to work, but you should still be able to flush your history whenever you want. We're building a version of this for Facebook too. It will be a simple control to clear your browsing history on Facebook -- what you've clicked on, websites you've visited, and so on."

37 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. It'll be a simple tool to clear your history by olsmeister · · Score: 1

    You know, all the shit we track about you that's really none of our business. Yeah, that stuff.

    1. Re:It'll be a simple tool to clear your history by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      How do we know it does anything? Watch this, reading this post will clear your Facebook history. "HISTORY CLEARED SUCCESSFULLY."

      See, it's real! Hahaha. Or is it just a wizbang noisemaker telling the user it's doing something, but actually doing nothing??

      Audit Facebook.

    2. Re:It'll be a simple tool to clear your history by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Also: what if I don't have a FB account? Will I be required to register in order to remove the browsing history they've collected?

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    3. Re:It'll be a simple tool to clear your history by taustin · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Of course it will do something. It will set the "Do not admit we track this any more" flag.

    4. Re:It'll be a simple tool to clear your history by Joce640k · · Score: 2

      How do we know it does anything? Watch this, reading this post will clear your Facebook history. "HISTORY CLEARED SUCCESSFULLY."

      You know that Europe is passing big new laws to make that illegal, right? If they do that and some employee blows a whistle on them then they're in deep trouble.

      Meanwhile, the USA just watches. Where are their laws?

      --
      No sig today...
    5. Re:It'll be a simple tool to clear your history by Alumoi · · Score: 1

      Of course, that's the whole idea. Get more suckers to sign in.

  2. All cookies??? by mnemotronic · · Score: 1

    I'm assuming they only have the ability to clear browser cookies belonging to facebook-related domains.

    --
    The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.
    1. Re:All cookies??? by mnemotronic · · Score: 2

      ... read the fucking summary ...

      Good suggestion

      Mark Zuckerberg:

      Today at our F8 conference I'm going to discuss a new privacy control we're building called "Clear History".

      In your web browser, you have a simple way to clear your cookies and history. The idea is a lot of sites need cookies to work, but you should still be able to flush your history whenever you want. We're building a version of this for Facebook too. It will be a simple control to clear your browsing history on Facebook -- what you've clicked on, websites you've visited, and so on.

      We're starting with something a lot of people have asked about recently: the information we see from websites and apps that use Facebook's ads and analytics tools.

      Once we roll out this update, you'll be able to see information about the apps and websites you've interacted with, and you'll be able to clear this information from your account. You'll even be able to turn off having this information stored with your account.

      To be clear, when you clear your cookies in your browser, it can make parts of your experience worse. You may have to sign back in to every website, and you may have to reconfigure things. The same will be true here. Your Facebook won't be as good while it relearns your preferences.

      But after going through our systems, this is an example of the kind of control we think you should have. It's something privacy advocates have been asking for -- and we will work with them to make sure we get it right.

      One thing I learned from my experience testifying in Congress is that I didn't have clear enough answers to some of the questions about data. We're working to make sure these controls are clear, and we will have more to come soon.

      --
      The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.
    2. Re:All cookies??? by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      Yeah, acting like they thought of it, that they're being good people.

      They're not running scared, Nope.

      --
      No sig today...
  3. Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Know how every elevator has 'Door Close' button? That doesn't seem to actually be connected to anything, and therefore does nothing? That's what I think this will be: it'll clear what you and others can see, but not a single byte of what Facebook stores.

    1. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      You have to keep pressing the button until the door closes.

    2. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Known+Nutter · · Score: 1

      Totally off topic, but depending on the make/model of the elevator system the Door Close button is functional for various service modes like firefighter service, attendant service, inspection service, etc.

      --
      Beware of the Leopard.
    3. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by JaredOfEuropa · · Score: 1

      In some cases it even works during normal service!

      --
      If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
    4. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

      The AC above you made me chuckle. You, sadly, made me facepalm. :-( Humor would be appreciated. ;-)

    5. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Nidi62 · · Score: 1

      Know how every elevator has 'Door Close' button? That doesn't seem to actually be connected to anything, and therefore does nothing?

      Is that anything like those bacon machines in the bathroom that always seem to be broken?

      --
      The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for it to be pitted against a slightly greater evil
    6. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by superdave80 · · Score: 1

      But the door closes by itself after the exact same amount of time as holding the button. I've never seen it actually close the door any faster than just waiting.

    7. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by mea_culpa · · Score: 2

      The button does serve a purpose when the fire key is inserted.

    8. Re: Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Reverend+Green · · Score: 1

      Yup, 100% #FakeNews.

    9. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

      Yes, I am; what's your point? Do you have one? Other than the one on top of your head that is? xD xD xD

    10. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Depends on the elevator and how it is configured. For some it makes no difference at all. For others it does. The one at my workplace closes several seconds faster if you press the button than if you don't.

    11. Re: Does anyone actually believe this is real? by JonnyCalcutta · · Score: 1

      You have to actually put your mouth to the tube for it to work. I thought this was a tech site!

    12. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Rick+Schumann · · Score: 1

      You misunderstand; they're not broken, just out of bacon. See, they cook the bacon up fresh whenever you press the button, so when it's out of bacon all you get is a blast of hot air. Since bacon is so universally popular, it's almost impossible to keep the machine stocked with bacon. What you need to do is camp out and wait for the maintenance person to service the restroom, which is when it's restocked with fresh bacon, and get yours right away. Sometimes they forget, though, so you'd better follow the guy into the restroom and remind him if he forgets, so you can get your freshly-cooked bacon. Glad to help! :-)

    13. Re:Does anyone actually believe this is real? by Provocateur · · Score: 1

      But the door closes by itself

      THIS is REAL; it is *how* you press the button. Follow these steps:

      1. Aim for the button.
      2. STOP! Right before the tip of your finger touches the button, you FREEZE.
      3. Turn your head around to look at the passenger(s).
      4. Wait for the doors to close automatically.
      5. Put on your sunglasses (optional)

      Try not to shake your head when the doors open.

      --
      WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
  4. nope by Virtucon · · Score: 2

    It doesn't go far enough. Facebook, Intellius et al. need to be prohibited from collecting any data from anyone without an opt-in and controls as to what
    they can collect and when.

    Sorry, fuck off Zuck

    --
    Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
  5. Will a tracking cookie be needed... by QuietLagoon · · Score: 2

    ... in order for Facebook to track who does not want to be tracked?

  6. This won't help anything by qzzpjs · · Score: 1

    All your data has already been copied a thousand times to other companies. I doubt Facebook will be forcing them to delete their copies too.

    1. Re:This won't help anything by GumphMaster · · Score: 1

      Even if it clears the current history pile, it then carries right on collecting a new one from the very next click. You are still uniquely identified and have more-or-less proven yourself a human being rather than some robot account: you may have actually increased the value of the new history.

      --
      Patent litigation: A doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction... in which everyone seems willing to push the button
  7. So Facebook has a new tool? by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    So Facebook says they now have a new tool. What happened? Did they somehow figure out a way to replace Zuckerberg?

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:So Facebook has a new tool? by GumphMaster · · Score: 1

      Well played, Sir!

      --
      Patent litigation: A doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction... in which everyone seems willing to push the button
  8. Zucker Or Kim Jung by wolfheart111 · · Score: 1

    Not sure who to believe.

    --
    [($)]
  9. Just visible/local data by sjbe · · Score: 1

    It will be just like deleting your browser history on your LOCAL computer or what is visible in your account. It won't do shit about the data Facebook has stored about you. That will never get deleted because that is what Facebook uses to make money.

    Basically nothing to see here. Move along.

  10. Too little, too late by DaMattster · · Score: 1

    Facebook is a day late and a dollar short! I am now 6 months free from Facebook and I will not be looking back ... ever.

  11. Clears records, not the metadata by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    All they care about is the metadata, and they already stored that.

    This won't delete that.

    Still a violation of Canadian Constitutional Right of Privacy and EU Right of Privacy, and FB knows that, which is why they have different platforms there.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  12. Deleting data after a security breech by VeryFluffyBunny · · Score: 1

    We have an expression for when you do things like take security measures after a security breech. It's "closing the door after the horse has bolted." Also, in Facebookese, "clear" probably doesn't mean "delete" either. More likely means "hide it from you but available to anyone else who pays for it."

    --
    Debate is a form of harassment. Do not question my truth.
  13. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  14. Faceblock! by kaybee · · Score: 1

    About time we get Faceblock!

  15. Why should I believe it? by Opportunist · · Score: 1

    Why should I believe that anything gets deleted at all? For all I know it could (and judging from Facebook's history would) just be hidden from view. For the user, of course, not to Facebook.

    Sorry. There is nothing, literally nothing this company can do to convince anyone that they are anything but a privacy invasion.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.