Facebook need 5 privacy updates

NEW YORK (AP) - Facebook is once
again trying to simplify its privacy
policy, largely to address criticisms
that it s too complex and lengthy for
the average user.
Laid out with illustrations into short
subsections, the new policy explains
what types of information Facebook
collects and how it uses the data.
The new policy is 70 percent shorter
than the old one.
Many of the changes are cosmetic,
designed to make the policy easier
to digest. Still, it helps to go
through it to get an idea of all the
things Facebook knows about you.
Users have until Nov. 20 to comment
on the proposed changes or ask
questions. A finalized version will
take effect soon after that.
Here are five things to remember
about Facebook s data policies.
LOCATION, LOCATION
Facebook only recently began
allowing businesses to advertise to
users based on their specific
location. Previously, ads were
targeted based on the "current city"
listed on the profile. Both the old
policy and the new one note that
the company can access your
location information based on your
smartphone s GPS information. The
new policy points out that Bluetooth
and Wi-Fi signals can also reveal
device locations.
Besides that, Facebook can also
collect information from the photos
you share on the site, including
where they were taken.
BEYOND FACEBOOK
Facebook doesn t just track what you
do on its site. It also collects
information about your activities
when you re off Facebook. For
example, if you use Facebook to log
in to outside websites and mobile
apps, the company will receive data
about those. It also gets information
about your activity on other
businesses it owns, such as
WhatsApp and Instagram, in
accordance with those services
privacy policies.
AD TARGETING
Unless you decline targeting, or opt
out, companies whose websites you
visit off Facebook can also show you
ads on Facebook. For example, a
website can use browser cookies to
record who visited it. It can then
ask Facebook to show ads to these
visitors both on and off Facebook. If
you want to opt out in the U.S., you
can visit this website: http://
aboutads.info/choices
ALL EYES ON YOU
Everything is fair game. Facebook
explains it best: "We collect the
content and other information you
provide when you use our Services,
including when you sign up for an
account, create or share, and
message or communicate with
others." Plus, Facebook says it also
collects information about how you
use Facebook, "such as the types of
content you view or engage with or
the frequency and duration of your
activities."
SHOPPING SPREE?
Facebook is testing a tool to let
people buy things directly through
its site. If you decide to do this,
Facebook will collect information
about your transaction, including
your credit card number and billing
and shipping address.