Facebook has never been big on privacy.
The timeline caused a big uproar, because all of a sudden previous (embarrassing) posts and photos were visible again. People had to dig deep into their archives to remove stuff they wanted to be kept private.
Earlier this year, there was the big fuss about users names and photos being used in ads. After a lawsuit was filed, Facebook had to agree to make it clear to users that when they click to like a product on Facebook, their names and photos can be used to plug the product. And users had the opportunity to opt out of this practice.
Then there was the activity log in the right upper corner, which suddenly showed all your friends activities: their comments, likes, which songs they listened to, which articles they read, etc… What frustrated people with a private profile was that their posts and photos showed up as well if their friends with a public profile commented or liked these.
And now there’s once again a privacy issue with Facebook, this time regarding the personal activity log where you can see your own activities. This is what Facebook announced:
“Starting today, in addition to your other activity, you’ll be able to see the searches you’re making on Facebook. Just as you can choose to delete any of your posts, you can use the same inline control on Activity Log to remove any of your searches at any time. It’s important to remember that no one else can see your Activity Log, including your search activity.”
What it means, is that all of your searches on Facebook now are being stored. They are not visible for anyone else, but it still not a very comforting thought. If you have potentially embarassing searches or just want to make sure you keep your privacy, you can easily delete your search history. You just have to remember to do this regularly. This change is being rolled out gradually by the way, so it might take a while before it becomes active on your profile.
These latest changes do make me wonder:
How far will Facebook go in invading people’s privacy and how far can they go before people decide they’ve had enough and leave Facebook?
What do you think?
Are these changes something to worry about?
Brent Alexander says
So what? Facebook is doing what it does best: making it easier to connect with the people around you. Besides, storing search quieries on Facebook has been around for years now. It’s just now that users can access a log of their own.
Karen Rainwater says
I don’t appreciate Facebook’s free handedness with my personal information. But, I am unwilling to leave Facebook as it is truly the best option for keeping me in touch with distant family and friends. But, Facebook cannot use what I don’t give it. I keep my most tender personal matters offline. Off Facebook, off Twitter, off Google, offline! Because of this, I don’t worry enormously about what Facebook does.
Having said all of that, I know that I have still given online entities more than I know. And, there may come a time that being an outspoken, unashamed Christian will be used against me. At this point, our privacy is so tied to even the most necessary services in our lives, we are trying to hide behind a paper napkin, when we try to hang onto our privacy. All we can do now, I believe, is to make sure our personal selves aren’t criminalized. And, that all depends on whose in charge, doesn’t it?
Rachel Blom says
Well put Karen! As someone who’s emigrated to another country, Facebook is perfect for me for keeping in touch with friends an family as well. I too am (as yet) unwilling to leave. I am however very much aware of what Facebook does and stores and I think more people should be…