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Once my 85 year old uncle got involved, I knew it was over for FaceBook...
And now: Facebook Glitch Exposed Private Chats
According to the Wall Street Journal, Facebook says it is fixing a bug that permitted some users' chat messages and pending friend requests to be made visible to their friends, a snafu that comes amid a flurry of criticism about the social network's handling of privacy.
Facebook recently introduced a new feature that lets anyone see your current city, hometown, education, work, likes, and interests, even if you've set your profile to private.
This is Facebook’s latest attempt to turn a profit by monetizing its most valuable asset – the personal information you post on its website. Thus the new policy benefits you and your Facebook Friends not so much as Facebook’s real clients - its advertisers, and the data-mining minions that toil on their behalf.
However, according to Consumer Reports's great BLOG The Consumerist, there are two ways to be totally private.
The first is to change your age to under 18. Then your interests can only be seen by friends and family and verified networks, as per Facebook's policy for minors.
However you can only do this when you originally create a Facebook account.
The second is to delete your profile (here's how) and get off Facebook. Apparently, the best safeguard of your online personal information is to never put it there in the first place.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Facebook says it is fixing a bug that permitted some users' chat messages and pending friend requests to be made visible to their friends, a snafu that comes amid a flurry of criticism about the social network's handling of privacy.
Facebook recently introduced a new feature that lets anyone see your current city, hometown, education, work, likes, and interests, even if you've set your profile to private.
This is Facebook’s latest attempt to turn a profit by monetizing its most valuable asset – the personal information you post on its website. Thus the new policy benefits you and your Facebook Friends not so much as Facebook’s real clients - its advertisers, and the data-mining minions that toil on their behalf.
However, according to Consumer Reports's great BLOG The Consumerist, there are two ways to be totally private.
The first is to change your age to under 18. Then your interests can only be seen by friends and family and verified networks, as per Facebook's policy for minors.
However you can only do this when you originally create a Facebook account.
The second is to delete your profile (here's how) and get off Facebook. Apparently, the best safeguard of your online personal information is to never put it there in the first place.
Pertinent articles also recommended by The Consumerist:
Facebook Further Reduces Your Control Over Personal Information [EFF]
Facebook Further Reduces Your Control Over Personal Information [EFF]
