Online Privacy

In a recent article by Web News editor Lucian Parfeni entitled Facebook Pushes the Boundaries of Online Privacy Again he explores the newly edited privacy policies that Facebook has changed and revised numorous times. However, with each change of language and policy Facebook still leaves users with little to no online privacy especially in regards to third party applications and their access to your information. How much control users may think they have is completely different then reality.

The article quotes Michael Richter, Facebook's deputy general counsel, saying that, "It is important to note that, while we're still developing many aspects of these products, user control over privacy remains essential to our innovation process and we'll continue to develop new tools to help you control the things you share on Facebook." Hopefully the creators will actually continue to work on giving the user more control of what information of theirs is submitted to other parties that usually try to solicit to them accordingly.

It is worrying that the network allows some sites that have been "pre approved" to access your information without obtaining the users active consent even if you do not choose Facebook Connect which integrates your information with that application. This gives those applications the right to post any of your information for all to see or for their own data.

WIth new developments Facebook will hopefully give users more protection, "The functionality is enabled by default but you will be able to block individual sites from accessing your info or disable the feature altogether. This may not be as bad as it seems but, in essence, it makes Facebook Connect an opt-out tool rather than an opt-in one."

I believe that while Facebook's functions and possibilities are extraordinary their are still major risk due to its open door policy with third party applications. Users deserve the right to protect themselves and know who is using their information and activity without their knowledge or consent. Without restrictions on how much other parties can access the social network can create more harm then help. While it is the users personal prerogative and responsibility not to post content they may not want being seen in a public forum it is the responsibility of the network to give them the choice to remain as private as one can on a social media site like Facebook.