Facebook plans more data-sharing

Palo Alto (ip-192.com): Facebook is tweaking its policies again, and the proposed updates indicate that the long rumored location-based service may come sooner rather than later. "The last time we updated the privacy policy, we included language describing a location feature we might build in the future. At that point, we thought the primary use would be to 'add a location to something you post," said Michael Richter, deputy general counsel for Facebook. "Now, we've got some different ideas that we think are even more exciting," Richter adds.

Facebook is already working on a feature that would add a "location stamp" on each post. Additional services Facebook is considering include more content and data-sharing with pre-approved third-party sites. Some media reports say that Facebook could let partners not only know when a user visits their site, but also disclose their name, their friends names, gender, profile pictures, and content that is allowed to be accessed by "Everybody" in their privacy settings.

"In the proposed privacy policy, we've also explained the possibility of working with some partner Web sites that we pre-approve to offer a more personalized experience at the moment you visit the site," Richter said. While the proposed policy changes are not final, it could allow third-parties to retain and use information to the extent permitted under their terms of service.

Privacy advocacy groups such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) in Washington, DC, are already concerned. The group filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission in 2009 after Facebook changed policies and made more user information publicly available. The advocacy group is considering to file another complaint with the FTC or amend the existing one, the Financial Times reports.

Fine-tuning privacy settings could become more important in the future for the 400+ million Facebook users. By allowing users to leave remarks on the new privacy changes, Facebook hopes to avoid the raucous debate earlier changes to its policies created.