Often something of a bugbear in the realm of social networking, the contentious issue of user privacy has this week received a modicum of favourable exposure after Facebook announced an easier and more comprehensive control approach.
Improved privacy on its way to Facebook. Image: dan taylor/Flickr.
In a move designed to give users the appropriate tools for tailoring exactly what information is shared across the network, Facebook’s test-based privacy improvements will focus on “control and connection,” and are expected to arrive in the next few days.
According to Chris Kelly, chief privacy officer at Facebook, a small number of users will be given the opportunity over the next few weeks to enjoy greater overall control by testing the network’s simpler privacy settings – along with the newly introduced Transition Tool.
“With the test we’re announcing today, we’ll move towards simplifying these settings and putting them all on the same page,” explained Kelly.
“We’ll also standardize the options we provide for each setting so the choices are always the same,” he added. “Lastly, we’ll remove overlapping settings to reduce confusion and combine profile fields that are similar, so you only have to make one decision.”
The Transition Tool, which is to be offered up in six different test versions, will enable users to select their own preferred levels of sharing and open up only those profile elements they are comfortable with other viewing.
According to Facebook, the Transition Tool will give users “the choice of being as open or as limited in the sharing of this information as [they] want.”
Once testing is complete and feedback has been duly processed, Facebook expects the final version of its new toolset to be officially rolled out for use by the entire network.
The Tech Herald: Facebook privacy bug patched
The Tech Herald: Phishing attacks return to Facebook
Want regular updates from The Tech Herald? Follow us on Twitter.
Interested in a more interactive TTH? Join our Facebook Group.
Interested in a more interactive TTH? Join our Facebook Group Want regular updates from The Tech Herald? Follow us on Twitter
Advertising
Comment on this Story