Since I posted the Wisdom of Crowds: Facebook Backs Down, Facebook announced that it will now seek users’ input not only for drafting its new terms but also its privacy principles.  In addition to seeking users’ input, Facebook will also put the revised terms and privacy principles up for vote before adoption.

It’s great news not only for Facebook users but anyone who participates in social networking sites.  The internet was envisioned as a way to democratize information.  Facebook, one of the largest — if not the largest — online social networks is setting an important example by empowering its … Read more

On Monday, February 16th, Facebook quietly updated its terms of service which gave the 5 year old social media site broad reaching rights to users’ content — even after users deleted the content and/or their account.

Almost immediately, citizens of cyberville blogged, tweeted, and posted their outrage.  In fact, news organizations began reporting that  EPIC, an electronic privacy organization, was planning on filing a lawsuit with the FTC, accusing Facebook of privacy violations.

Last night, faced with increasing public outcry, Facebook retracted its new terms, re-instating an earlier version.  Zuckerberg blogged about it. Today, taking a … Read more

I am, sadly, approaching that “certain age” when AARP will soon send me a birthday card welcoming me.  Nevertheless, I have a Facebook account.  I’ve had one for several years — ever since my kids first told me they wanted to go on a “new site to hook up with friends.”  Being somewhat over-protective, I consented with the proviso that I had to be their “friend” too.  At the time, I was there alone — other than my kids, that is.
Now, my friends are increasingly discovering Facebook and other social networks, using them to reconnect with friends from … Read more