SectionsFacebook security softening
User content still easy to access despite privacy changes
Bobbie Sawyer
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Features
When Sarah Kramer signed in to Facebook last December, she received an unusual notification. This time, rather than an update on one of her 400 friends fertilizing digital crops, it was a notification on Facebook's latest privacy settings.
"I personally like privacy," said Kramer, an undeclared freshman at Missouri State. "I have Facebook on its strictest privacy. It's getting to where everybody is in everybody's business."
Though many Facebook users are likely to feel the same way, the Web site seems to be promoting public displays of expression more than ever before.
Facebook launched its privacy changes Dec. 9, encouraging users to review their settings. Those who already had rigid profile security in place would retain their old settings, while others were offered Facebook's suggested settings by default. By accepting Facebook's default settings, features such as status updates would become viewable to everyone, even those not logged into the site.
While users are able to change their privacy settings at will, some argue that Facebook's push to publicize is a bit deceptive, especially to those who unwittingly told the entire Internet about their fifth trip to see "Avatar."
"Facebook could make it easier," said Diana Botsford, an assistant professor in the Department of Media, Journalism and Film who has developed community-driven Web sites for Microsoft. "I'm a believer that you're always responsible for yourself, but it could be more obvious."
Another less obvious change is the ability for search engines to track public content, such as your profile picture, gender and fan pages. Those wishing to opt out of this can uncheck the "allow" box located on the search page found under privacy settings, but not without a message from Facebook warning that it will make it more difficult for friends to find you.
The more content users share with the public, the easier it will be for advertisers to personalize their messages to each user. This act is described in Facebook's privacy policy as "technological methods to measure the effectiveness of (the advertisers' ads) and to personalize advertising content."
"I personally like privacy," said Kramer, an undeclared freshman at Missouri State. "I have Facebook on its strictest privacy. It's getting to where everybody is in everybody's business."
Though many Facebook users are likely to feel the same way, the Web site seems to be promoting public displays of expression more than ever before.
Facebook launched its privacy changes Dec. 9, encouraging users to review their settings. Those who already had rigid profile security in place would retain their old settings, while others were offered Facebook's suggested settings by default. By accepting Facebook's default settings, features such as status updates would become viewable to everyone, even those not logged into the site.
While users are able to change their privacy settings at will, some argue that Facebook's push to publicize is a bit deceptive, especially to those who unwittingly told the entire Internet about their fifth trip to see "Avatar."
"Facebook could make it easier," said Diana Botsford, an assistant professor in the Department of Media, Journalism and Film who has developed community-driven Web sites for Microsoft. "I'm a believer that you're always responsible for yourself, but it could be more obvious."
Another less obvious change is the ability for search engines to track public content, such as your profile picture, gender and fan pages. Those wishing to opt out of this can uncheck the "allow" box located on the search page found under privacy settings, but not without a message from Facebook warning that it will make it more difficult for friends to find you.
The more content users share with the public, the easier it will be for advertisers to personalize their messages to each user. This act is described in Facebook's privacy policy as "technological methods to measure the effectiveness of (the advertisers' ads) and to personalize advertising content."
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