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Science

Facebook Drops Major Change to Privacy Policy: ‘Impossible to Know What We Clearly Consent To’

Nov. 22, 2012 5:37pm Erica Ritz

Facebook No Longer to Allow Users to Vote on Privacy Changes

(Photo: AP)

(TheBlaze/AP) — Facebook is proposing to end its practice of letting users vote on changes to its privacy policies, though it will continue to let users comment on proposed updates.

The world’s biggest social media company explained in a post Wednesday that its voting mechanism– which is triggered only if enough people comment on proposed changes– has become a system that emphasizes quantity of responses over quality of discussion. Users tend to leave one or two-word comments objecting to changes instead of more valuable, in-depth responses.

Facebook said it will continue to inform users of “significant changes” to its privacy policy, often referred to as its its “data use” policy. The company will keep its seven-day comment period and take users’ feedback into consideration, it says.

“We will also provide additional notification mechanisms, including email, for informing you of those changes,” Elliot Schrage, Facebook’s vice president of communications, public policy and marketing, assured in the post.

Facebook began letting users vote on privacy changes in 2009. Since then, the company has gone public and its user base has ballooned from around 200 million to more than 1 billion.

Jules Polonetsky, director of the Future of Privacy Forum, an industry-backed think tank in Washington, said the voting process was a “noble experiment” that wasn’t fit to last, since it didn’t lead to informed debate.

So has Facebook become “too big for democracy,” as Michael Phillips of Buzzfeed wrote? Drawing a comparison to China, he added: “Call this new regime Facebook with Authoritarian Characteristics.”

Facebook is also proposing specific changes to its data use policy, like making it clear that when users hide a post or photo from their profile page, the “timeline,” those posts are not truly hidden and can be visible elsewhere, including on another person’s page.

Polonetsky called Facebook’s data use policy “kind of a good handbook” and a “reasonable read” on how to navigate the site’s complex settings.

But almost no one actually reads the privacy policies of websites they frequent, even Facebook’s.

“I certainly recommend that people read it, but most users just want to poke someone and like someone and look at a picture,” Polonetsky noted.

Many are objecting to the changes, noting that even an email– if lengthy and legal-looking– will not be read by most who receive it. A group called Our Policy has asked that if Facebook users are no longer able to vote on changes, that they at least be informed with “clear and understandable” language.

“We oppose that Facebook is using ‘like’, ‘may’ or ‘could’ instead of clear statements. This makes it impossible to clearly know what we consent to,” they explain.

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Comments (35)

Mr Sanders
Posted on November 26, 2012 at 12:53pm
Why should the NSA build a one million sq. ft. server farm if you have Facebook with a very, very flimsy privacy policy ….. and everyone gives freely to the database each Day, hour, minute, second?

To avoid lost Data Someday – Protect it with Faraday!

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CulperGang
Posted on November 25, 2012 at 1:50pm
Skype is superior to facebook. Impossible to know what privacy is? No it isn’t. Stay out of other peoples business and mind yours instead of theirs. Make the government produce a warrant with a cause to get access. don’t allow access without the DIRECT CONSENT of the person. Let them decide what is private to them and what is not. KISS.

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geminimoon
Posted on November 24, 2012 at 7:43am
Because of family and friends across the USA, I use facebook. I am not a fan of it but it is a fair way to keep in touch with others. Aside from my name, I list no other personal info like where I live, work or went to school (and have no pictures) because it’s simply no business of fb to know any of that.

In reading a few of your opinions, some quite laughable, of facebook on here I truly wonder if any of you have read the privacy policy here on The Blaze…

FYI, here are some highlights of The Blazes’ “Privacy Policy”:
-THEBLAZE.COM LLC (“THEBLAZE”) realizes the importance of respecting and protecting your privacy.

-THEBLAZE collects the following types of Personally Identifiable Information from users of the Site:
your name, address, phone number(s), e-mail address, date of birth, nationality and gender if you are a Registered User or are otherwise asked to provide such information;
the e-mail addresses of those who post comments, stories, photos, videos and other content on the Site;

-We automatically receive and record your browser information, operating system information, IP address, cookie information and the page you requested.

-THEBLAZE may allow third parties to display advertisements on the Site, and these third parties may use tracking technologies, to collect information about users who view or interact with these advertisements and connect to the Site.

So it seems The Blaze, like Facebook has few boundaries of what it chooses t

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- geminimoon
  Posted on November 24, 2012 at 7:52am
  Ran out of room on last post, but I was just pointing out that regardless of what you may personally think of FB, or any other site for that matter, The Blaze has few boundaries of what it chooses to do with your personal information and in some cases, as per the “Privacy Policy”, does NOT allow you to opt out of some things and grants itself [The Blaze] the right to do whatever it wishes with ALL of your information, private or otherwise…
  
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- PorkPIG
  Posted on November 25, 2012 at 6:43am
  Firefox has addons that block or Misinform for most things you listed other than ip and even that if your willing browse like a snail through a proxy .
  
  Report this comment
TheePolitinator
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:05pm
In case you’re wondering what I am talking about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sThcwmx3rs&feature=related

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- Bookster
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 6:50pm
  Ummm, that was an onion news network “news” story. It is satire that clearly went over your head.
  
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TheePolitinator
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 4:04pm
This all coming from the mini commie creator. I hope he rots in hell and dies. I once felt bad for the lawsuit against him.

That has changed drastically. Sell out anti American slime bag puts it mildly.

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Grace1798
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:11am
This is HITLER’S Shoe Box of Names, addresses and all personal information and who you are related to. Oh yea, it’s coming folks. GET OUT of Facebook while you still can! It is not safe, it will ultimately be dangerous to you and your family and your friends.

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- loriann12
  Posted on November 24, 2012 at 10:24am
  I close my account the day after election day. Funny, my credit card got compromised the day after election day, too. You have to wait 2 weeks before they actually close the account, because I figure they think everyone is addicted an will change their mind.
  
  Report this comment
SaturdaysWarrior76
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 10:00am
Oh how I hate Facebook. Hate it Hate it Hate it. I used it for about a month before I realized I really didn’t care if so-and-so was eating a hamburger at that very moment. Seriously.

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- Ballot_Box_Revolution
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 11:41am
  What I can’t figure out is why no one is making a new “facebook” type site. One that will promise never to hand over it’s database, to the government. And never cut the users out of the loop….I think this would be appealing…..I mean infowars is trying to do it, but it is agenda driven, so the people using it is just a small part of the market. Make it a no agenda project…well the only agenda being a place of people
  
  It CAN be done…I remember when Myspace was the big thing, and i remember thinking when i first heard of facebook…there is no way facebook will be able to compete….
  
  I think this technology is great, and can be used in good ways, it’s the fear of governments taking and using the data how they please that turns me off.
  
  Like money technology is not Good or Evil…..it just is.
  
  Report this comment
repairsea
Posted on November 23, 2012 at 2:07am
I don’t understand the need to tweet, facebook or myspace. Now if I was a criminal, I could understand. Easy prey. They know your work hours, how many is in your family, if you have a dog, your vacation time and with your name, city and state they can locate your house. I wonder if home insurance will start charging extra for clients who use social media? LOL

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- Ed_North
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 5:19am
  I tried FaceBook and Twitter and found it ompetely void of any redeeming value. I felt myself getting more stupid the longer I used them. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
  
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- Brooke Lorren
  Posted on November 24, 2012 at 12:44pm
  I make money off of Facebook and Twitter… I also never publicly announce any of my vacations until after I have returned, unless someone is still in my house while I am gone (ie if I go somewhere and dh is still at home).
  
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- Brooke Lorren
  Posted on November 24, 2012 at 12:46pm
  I also work at home, so knowing my work hours (which are random anyway) wouldn’t help anyone. Go ahead, try to burglarize my home while I’m at work. I can guarantee that I’ll have a nasty surprise waiting for you and you might not live to tell about it.
  
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grayling646
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 11:37pm
Zapped my account over a year ago. I miss it about as much as I miss a cold toilet seat.

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- amb
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:22am
  I did the same thing last week and I don’t miss it at all.
  
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Nicholson William R
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 10:15pm
Facebook is not worth a dime in stock value. I am a calm and cool poster whom does not post vulgar content or profanity or hate speech yet because I post messages that do not approve of the naked emperor occupying the once sacred White House …. FB frequently deletes my messages to friends on FB and censors anything I post. They delete anything that does not approve of the emperor with no clothes ! Do Not Use FB while they practice censorship !

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- IndyGuy
  Posted on November 22, 2012 at 11:22pm
  The Blaze does the same…
  
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Maxim Crux
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 9:58pm
Stop using Facebook and start writing letters by hand

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- yiska8
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:17am
  That would be something, wouldn’t it? Imagine… people sitting down and taking the time to write letters to each other. I liked spraying mine with a little perfume. Ahh, the good old days.
  
  Report this comment
- jhrusky
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 9:57am
  Unfortunately, those days are gone and this new generation is not going to embrace anything but digital. Perhaps an EMP or Solar Flare that takes out our electronics for a couple years would, in fact, be a beneficial thing in the long run.
  
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- MMSands
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 10:30am
  People will think you’re nuts. I know this because I still write letters, and no one can figure out why. My sanity is constantly being questioned for just such questionable behaviors.
  
  Report this comment
- yiska8
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:04pm
  @mmsands
  Then we’re the rebels aren’t we? It may come down to it again someday. And your not crazy. You’re literate. Digital make your dumb in my opinion. Faster technology doesn’t make anyone more intelligent. It just means the information is there to take in, but not nearly as retained. Keep writing, someday it may be needed when the SHTF. Just like in the days of the American Revolution. Letters written in secret was the way to winning the American Revolution.
  
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- TheSoundOf Truth
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 1:25pm
  Yeah, I’d write letters for sure…if the USPS wasn’t delivering them 70 years late.
  
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Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 8:44pm
I refuse to use Facebook. The whole reason for their existence is to share and market every bit of data that they can get away with. Their privacy policies will always be nebulous and will shift frequently. The model is to give their “customers” the illusion of control while enticing them to post more and more personal data. I refuse to chronicle my life for them.

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- grayling646
  Posted on November 22, 2012 at 11:25pm
  I wonder if TheBlaze sells our information.
  
  Report this comment
IndyGuy
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 8:40pm
“has become a system that emphasizes quantity of responses over quality of discussion.”….HELLOOOOOO…It’s Facebook…

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Advection
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 8:22pm
Facebook is a dream site for identity thieves.

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Stelex
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 8:14pm
The fools of society use facebook, I think today I will put all my personal data, activities, associations, history, pictures, likes and dislikes, in everyones hands. Morons Psychopaths and mental defectives the lot. Sorry family….its just how I feel. Tweet me or google me……idiots. Society gives itself up for the slaughter………

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Advection
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 8:01pm
Computer virus link?

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yiska8
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 7:46pm
Don’t use it. Don’t want it to use. Don’t trust it. Never did.
I’m into the ancient ways of life circa the early 1990′s when people stayed home and spoke to each other on a land line telephone. The phone belongs at home and communication is best face to face, human to human. No one looks you in the eye anymore. Young people can’t start conversations or know how to carry them on. But they tell Facebook and complete strangers everything about their lives and Facebook will do what it pleases with your life story and so can complete strangers.
We have de-evolved.

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chips1
Posted on November 22, 2012 at 7:14pm
I could maybe like to have Facebook, but, I doubt it. Depends on if I feel more like I do now than I did before I felt this way!!!

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- bloodrage
  Posted on November 23, 2012 at 12:45am
  What?
  
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