Facebook acknowledges privacy snafu

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged the popular social networking site “missed the mark” by introducing overly “complex” privacy controls.

“We have heard the feedback. There needs to be a simpler way to control your information. In the coming weeks, we will add privacy controls that are much simpler to use,” Zuckerberg pledged in an article written for the Washington Post.

“We will also give you an easy way to turn off all third-party services. We are working hard to make these changes available as soon as possible.”

In addition, Zuckerberg conceded some users “didn’t understand” how their personal information was being used.

“Many people choose to make some of their information visible to everyone so people they know can find them on Facebook. We already offer controls to limit the visibility of that information and we intend to make them even stronger,” he explained.

Zuckerberg concluded his open letter by sketching the following “set of principles” which Facebook currently adheres to:

  • You have control over how your information is shared.
  • We do not share your personal information with people or services you don’t want.
  • We do not give advertisers access to your personal information.
  • We do not and never will sell any of your information to anyone.
  • We will always keep Facebook a free service for everyone.