Facebook commits to simplifying privacy controls

Following increasing pressure from privacy and consumer groups, Facebook has committed to simplifying its privacy settings for its 400 million plus users.

With the recent introduction of partner websites such as Twitter being able to incorporate Facebook data, critics are concerned about third-party websites having access to user’s personal information.

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes sys the company has spent the past couple of weeks listening to users and consulting with experts in the US and around the world, and as a result, will endeavour to make personal information settings “simpler and easier to use”.

“The messages we’ve received are pretty clear,” says Noyes.

“Users appreciate having precise and comprehensive controls, but want them to be simpler and easier to use.”

Canadian internet consultants Matthew Milan and Joseph Dee have said Facebook’s current information settings – which include a 5,830-word privacy policy – makes it “too difficult” for users to understand.

They have declared May 31 as “Quit Facebook Day” and have created a website for privacy concerned users to join up.

So far, more than 13,000 people have signed up to the boycott.