Facebook has revamped its privacy settings. This new system
is user-friendly, and allows users to make a number of choices. For example,
you can now hide items on your timeline, or turn off all of your applications.
You can also see and download all of the data you've shared on the site. These
changes are set to roll out in earnest at the end of the year.
The most important change is that you'll finally be able to
control what parts of your profile are publicly accessible. As a result of
this, you can limit who can see and tag you in posts. Another feature to note
is that you'll also be able to control who gets to see your photos.
In addition to these new features, the company will also
offer a global online resource center for teens. Basically, you'll be able to
find educational materials about the web in one place. Previously, this
functionality has been scattered across many apps. It hasn't been easy to find
the edifice in question, but the company is taking steps to rectify this.
For instance, the company is going to make it easier to
access your activity log, and it will add a Buy button for products in more
countries. A similar effort is being made to manage your multiple photos.
Facebook has also introduced the "privacy basics,"
which sums up the various kinds of data you have available to you. Among other
things, this page is where you can view your profile photo, gender, age, and
other basic directory information. But Facebook also collects data about you
from other sites and apps. One of these is called the "Tag
Suggestions" feature, which supposedly lets you avoid having your face
recognized by other people's friends' apps.
Not all of these features are good news. Rather than offer
an "optimistic" list of the coolest things the social media giant has
done, the company is instead trying to promote the new privacy features that
are worth its while.
Facebook's announcement comes in the wake of a recent data
scandal. Cambridge Analytica had obtained the personal information of 87
million people without their permission. Although Facebook has since vowed to
prevent this type of behavior in the future, it's likely that the company will
still keep and share old information.
Of course, there are still a number of privacy concerns,
like how much data you're willing to allow friends and contacts to see. This
new system will let you control what information your Facebook friends and
contact can see, and even restrict sharing for under-18s.
Hopefully, these changes will encourage users to become more
aware of their privacy. After all, if they aren't, they could be subject to
phishing or other security threats. To be on the safe side, you should always
use two-factor authentication.