Facebook creates new privacy controls after falling under heavy criticism
Posted May 26, 2010 7:25 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Facebook is rolling out new privacy controls on Wednesday after being criticized for making user information, too easily available for marketers.
The social networking company says the changes to privacy settings will be drastically simplified.
In a letter to The Washington Post, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg admits the company missed the mark over privacy concerns.
Faced with a protest by users who are threatening to quit the site on May 31, Zuckerberg says privacy controls will be simplified with an easy way of turning off third-party services.
Facebook has 400-million members but has come under fire from security experts after making it it more difficult for users to keep their personal details private.
A European watchdog said it was unacceptable that users had no option but to share some personal details after the site changed its security settings.
Details of where members are going, what they are doing and their list of friends are also shown unless they ‘opt out’ through the security settings.
Zuckerberg admits the company likely moved to fast to growth, with controls that were too complex.
Zuckerberg and other Facebook executives will face questioning by U.S. congressional regulators, Thursday.
