How To Use Facebook: Reduce, Remove.

A friend recently read this MSNBC article:

"The personal details of 100 million Facebook users have been collected and published online in a downloadable file, meaning they will now be unable to make their publicly available information private. However, Facebook downplayed the issue, saying that no private data had been compromised. The information was posted by Ron Bowes, an online security consultant, on the Internet site Pirate Bay. Bowes used code to scan the 500 million Facebook profiles for information not hidden by privacy settings."

After reading the article, my friend asked me in Facebook status message, "So is this latest FB breach cause for concern?"

Based on everything I have learned and written about Facebook in this blog, my answer was: despite its promises about privacy controls, Facebook is doing everything to make sure that everything you share on Facebook becomes public. The faster you realize this and act accordingly (e.g., reduce your usage of FB, remove stuff from FB that you want to keep private, don't upload to FB anything you want to keep private, use traditional email), the better. As soon as there is a credible alternative, I am switching.

Want to learn more about Facebook? The module in the right column lists key blog posts about Facebook.

You don't believe me? You think I am paranoid? Nope. Read this: Top 10 Reasons To Quit Facebook.

Comments

[Credit Repair Services]

Facebook is doing everything to make sure that everything you share on Facebook becomes public,sometimes i dont like using Facebook due to mal function...its not safe a friend of mine was hacked...can they do something about it?

[George]

Credit Repair Services:

You have left a lot of comments lately -- perhaps in an attempt to fill up the Recent Comments module with faux ads. My take: informed consumers expect a company like yours to have a clear opinion and recommendations about what Facebook can do about protecting consumers' privacy. The way you have asked the question above implies that you don't know, or are unwilling to share your view. I hope that your future comments will be more substantive, less fluff, and contribute more detail (without typos).

George
Editor
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