Irish Commissioner Calls For Better Facebook Privacy

Irish commissioner for data protection has called for wide-spread improvements in Facebook privacy.


Facebook has three months to implement the changes, which include making the site's terms and conditions clearer as well as allowing users to have greater control over the usage their data is put to. Commissioner Billy Hawkes will review the progress in July next year.


The suggested changes are as follows (the BBC reports):

• a mechanism for users to make an informed choice for how their information is used and shared on the site, including in relation to third party apps
• an update to its data use policy/privacy policy to take account of recommendations as to where the information provided to users could be further improved
• transparency and control for users via the provision of all personal data held to them on request and as part of their everyday interaction with the site
• the deletion of information held on users and non-users via what are known as social plug-ins, and more generally the deletion of data held from user interactions with the site much sooner than presently
• increased transparency and controls for the use of personal data for advertising purposes
• an additional form of notification for users in relation to facial recognition/"tag suggest" that, it is considered, will ensure Facebook Ireland is meeting best practice in this area from an Irish law perspective
• an enhanced ability for users to control tagging and posting on other user profiles
• an enhanced ability for users to control their addition to groups by friends