"Big Brother" backlash succeeds against Facebook.com
09/12/06
On September 7th, Facebook.com introduced "News Feeds" to its bevy of online features allowing for users to be more integrated within its online social network of more than 9.5 million users. Unfortunately, the effect was quite the opposite, with many of its users rallying to have the "Big Brother" tool removed, given the lack of any privacy controls to disable or modify it.
Why the concern ? "News Feeds" allowed users to monitor, track, and watch the online 'movements' and communications of other users within the designated social network. Many users felt that their privacy was being broadcast to the world and that the feature was more of an intrusion than a supplement to their social networking habits. Following an online petition signed by more than 700,000 Facebook users, the company quickly provided the much-need privacy controls to disable or modify the "News Feed" tool.
Noting the privacy concern facing many of its users, Facebook apologized for the lack of controls for the new tool and quickly moved to allow for such modifications as early as September 8. Facebook, which has long prided itself in augmenting its catalogue of privacy and security features to protect the identities of its users, were remorseful for introducing an option that was massively applied to its community without affording an option to opt out of it.
As result of the company’s quick action, the online movement rescinded their plans for a protest to be held outside of the Facebook headquarters. In fact, one of the leaders of the online petitions was reported as suggesting that the group demonstrate in support of the company’s speed at resolving the matter.
Posted by cp493 at 11:46 AM