Archive for Facebook Settings
Facebook Finally Folds on Privacy Issues
Posted by: | CommentsFacebook finally realized the privacy issues its been creating for people and yesterday announced “simplification” of Facebook privacy controls. You can read a blow-by-blow of the press conference here .
Instead of the more than 50 settings, options will be drastically reduced and simplified. They claim it will retroactive, whatever that means.
In light of the federal lawsuit and a growing dissatisfaction among its users about privacy issues, Facebook has already started rolling out the changes, so your account may already have them. As soon as my account gets the new controls I’ll let you know. meanwhile, if you want to keep your information private, you’ll still have to tweak more than 50 settings.
New Facebook Security Feature – New Device Access Notice
Posted by: | CommentsFacebook introduced a new security feature recently – notification when your account is accessed from a device (computer, phone, etc) that you have not used before. You can receive a notification directly from Facebook whenever your account is accessed from a new device for the first time.
This is one small step toward making Facebook safer. Remember, there is no secure log-in on Facebook. There are programs that allow others to “see” what you are doing on unsecured WiFi networks. That creates a certain amount of risk if you’re logging in at the coffee shop or other unsecured WiFi network.
If you want to receive the security notifications for new devices from Facebook, you can find the setting in the Account Settings drop down menu. The default setting is that the notification is turned off. Go figure. If you access your Facebook account on a mobile device over unsecured networks, I urge you to go change this Facebook setting immediately.
Facebook Automation Labs Scare
Posted by: | CommentsThere is another rumor circulating on Facebook (shocking, eh? 
) In this version, you are advised to go to the “Block User” part of the Privacy Settings and type in “Automation Labs,” which produces a list of about 20 people who “have access to all your information.” Relax, they don’t.
According to snopes.com, a site that researches online rumors, the list of users produced by blocking “Automation Labs,” a third party developer, are those people associated with the developer. You know that one of my issues is the lack of screening of third party developers by Facebook. This one is just a rumor.
Just because this one is a rumor, doesn’t mean you can let your guard down with regard to online privacy issues. Be careful who you provide with your information.
Facebook Allows Developers to Get Your Email Address as of Today
Posted by: | CommentsIn a significant change, Facebook is allowing third party developers to get your email address as of today. This has been in the works for a while and FB has some protections in place for its millions of users, according to the AllFacebook.com blog.
For now, you will be asked specifically if you want the developer to have your email address as you are installing the application. For me, this is yet another reason to avoid most applications on Facebook.
I’ve already ranted about the privacy issues with 3rd party developers, including
- You only need an email address to be an application developer
- Many apps skim far more info than they really need from your account, even though they are not supposed to
- Your privacy settings are overridden by the applications
Having just suffered through a virus attack, I am especially sensitive about who has access to my machine and my information. Be sure that you know who is getting your information before you allow third parties more access to you.
