Facebook agrees with Canada on privacy controls

Facebook Agrees with Canada on Privacy Controls

Associated Press

By Charmaine Noronha

August 27, 2009

Facebook agreed Thursday to give users more control over the information they share with outside applications like games and quizzes in response to concerns raised by Canadian privacy officials.

Currently, people who wish to use such software have to agree to share all their data with the application. For example, when a user signs up to take a quiz, the software developer could tap the user’s biographical information, photos and hobbies, along with profiles and information on friends, even if such data aren’t needed to take the quiz.

Jules Polonetsky quoted:

Jules Polonetsky, co-chairman and director at the Future of Privacy Forum think tank in Washington, D.C., said that while users will be more aware that applications are accessing their data, they may still click through the notices without regard for what information they are ceding to the developers.

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