Photo: Facebook staff member & facebook logoPhoto Source: Google Images
After causing havoc in the Internet world, one of the most popular social networking site's, Facebook, has issued an apology to its users for creating confusion over the privacy of their content, causing Facebook immediate negative publicity. Users who may try to deactivate their account on the site are now being asked if they are doing so because of concern for their content. If the user's reply yes, they are being informed that the terms of service have been corrected and their pictures and information are safe and belong only to the user that put the information on the site.
In an effort to clearly communicate and correct the negative publicity to Facebook users directly, Facebook founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg posted a blog entry on February 18 that mentions that the networking platform would continue with its previous ‘terms of service’ till new terms are defined. Zuckerberg claims in his personal blog that the intention of the changes in the privacy language was to make it clear that even after a user has deleted his or her account, the messages he/she may have sent out to his/her contacts would continue to be with recipients.
Facebook also states updates about the privacy situation on the home website when users log in. Also, the Facebook team is asking users to contribute ideas and suggestions on the language of the new 'terms', and has set up a global group called 'Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities'. The group has over 78,000 members and over 9,000 wall posts/entries have been put up within the last two weeks.
Suspicion over privacy of users' content uploaded on Facebook was raised recently after the company changed the language in its 'Terms of Service' on February 4, stating that even after users leave Facebook, others would be able to access their information and content like photos and messages.
Even though it was not a good idea to change the terms of service and think that the member would not know or care, but I believe that Facebook counter-reacted in a very speedy and efficient way. Just like any other organization, mistakes are bound to happen, but Facebook displayed their phenominal public relations skills by listening to complaints and responding quickly through the use of blogs and news releases.
-- Samantha Savory
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