Facebook and Privacy

Facebook has announced major changes in the way it allows you to handle privacy decisions—and the changes are good. It's easier to make sure you control who sees your private information, not Facebook.

But, is your privacy now better protected on Facebook?

Yes, but here's the rub: despite Facebook's actions to make it easier for you to set your privacy settings, it's still easy for you to give away more information than you mean to. Why? Despite what Facebook says about honoring your privacy rights, it hasn't made the one simple change that would really protect you: it hasn't made the default setting on every item "maximum privacy."

Maximum privacy: the least amount of your information is shared. Unless you tell Facebook to change your settings, they would always be set on the most restrictive setting.

Right now, many of Facebook's settings still give you minimum privacy. Facebook assumes the opposite: unless you make a real effort to tell them "no", Facebook shares as much about you as they can to as many people and companies as possible.

What to do now:

• If you've been to our website earlier and have already followed the steps to "Lock Down" your account, you're set. You don't need to do anything. (We thank the Business Insider for this excellent plan.)
• If you haven't "locked down" your account, read this column from Newsweek that explains why many groups—including FoolProof—think you should be concerned about your privacy on Facebook.
  • Then check out this analysis of Facebook's latest privacy changes.
  • Then decide how much privacy you want.
  • Then work through your privacy settings. You can use this simple plan.

Want to know more about social networks and privacy issues?

Here's a sampling of good commentaries:

• A simple video on what happens to your information when you go online from Demand Your dotRights.
• 10 Things You Need To Know About Today's Facebook Privacy Changes from All Facebook.
• Facebook Gives the Scoop on New Privacy Controlsfrom Time Magazine.
• Facebook Gets The Message On Privacy from National Public Radio.
• Facebook overhaul simplifies privacy controls from the San Jose Mercury News.
• Facebook privacy must be watched from The Financial Times. (To read this article, you'll need to register.)