Facebook Privacy Change Strikes Again
Posted 11/12/2009 – 13:28 in: Opinion, Privacy, Social Networks
Facebook has introduced another round of privacy changes to their site. I was greeted with a pop-up telling me to review my settings. Privacy is a big concern on the Internet, and something I follow with great interest. But with more and more user content driven sites privacy becomes an increasingly complex issue.
I can understand Facebook’s problems with getting it right. The site has to use the capital in user generated content more and more. With it’s largest revenue stream still advertising, it needs to keep people engaged with the site. So their problem is finding the sweet spot between privacy and having enough interesting content to promote the site.
The question is, what is driving it? Making sure user’s have a safe, engaging time on the site or trying to keep the momentum of growth. “Giving users control” of their privacy settings seems to be a way to pass the buck and avoid finding that sweet spot. Most users will ignore it or not understand it, leaving their information in the public domain.
I think this is a thinly veiled attempt to brush over the privacy issue and utilise the biggest USP they have, their users’ content.
Tags: facebook, Privacy