the buzz log

Facebook and privacy sound like oxymorons. But recently, some changes to their service agreement have sounded more Big Brother than social network.

The Facebook showdown blew up over the terms of service (you know, the fine print you never read but must agree to in order to open an account). Over the weekend, it came to light that the social-networking company made a slight change. And it seemed to change everything. The Consumerist blog raised the red warning flag with the dire prediction: Facebook's New Terms Of Service: "We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever." Then they explained the change: Before, when you terminated your Facebook account, rights to any content you uploaded would expire. Not so anymore.

Facebook countered that this was not a nefarious ruse to make off with user content, but an acknowledgement that your content is shared with others even if you've left the service. This led Consumerist to clarify: "Facebook Clarifies Terms Of Service: 'We Do Not Own Your Stuff Forever.'"

Confused? Lots are, and headed online for answers. Social networkers looked up "facebook privacy," "facebook terms of service," "facebook changes," and "facebook controversy." So, is your content yours, or it property of Facebook? The answer is, there isn't really an answer. As the Chicago Tribune put it, "The issue of who controls the data posted to the site is a massive gray area that continues to evolve as Internet companies and consumers shape social norms on how to define trust in the digital age and share their lives through new technology."

Let's face it, the change doesn't sound great. Facebook now states that it has "irrevocable, perpetual" license to use your "name, likeness, and image." But not to worry! Facebook's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, explained, "people own their information," writing in the company blog," We're at an interesting point in the development of the open online world where these issues are being worked out. It's difficult terrain to navigate and we're going to make some missteps, but as the leading service for sharing information we take these issues and our responsibility to help resolve them very seriously."

They're not the only ones to take the issues seriously. Privacy rights advocates have jumped in, reportedly filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission about the updated terms of service and requesting a return to the original terms.

While Facebook may see gray, users, at least the peeved ones who pay attention, see black and white.

Filed under: Privacy