Facebook revamping privacy features to make site safer for teens and adults

Facebook puts more privacy control in hands of users

Facebook appears to have taken a page from Google+ in regards to privacy and sharing concerns. The social media giant will now provide drop-down menus on individual status updates and profile information allowing users to select specific “audiences” who can read what they post, rather than showing to the whole world. It will also provide other tools which will allow users to approve or reject posts and photos that someone else tags before they are published. Facebook will also allow users to change privacy settings even after content has been posted.

Although some of the features are not new, controls are being relocated to more popular areas of the site instead of being hidden in privacy-settings pages. Experts say the changes, which will be rolled out over the coming weeks, should make it easier for users to understand who will be able to view the status updates and content they post on the site. Experts also lauded the increased controls given to users over content they’re tagged in.

Marian Merritt, Internet safety advocate with Symantec’s Norton unit, said “It seems to reflect some of what people have been asking for. The issues of privacy and of control over your data are a growing concern and consumers are paying more attention to them.” Facebook hopes that with the new changes, people will use the settings more often.

Susan Grant, director of consumer protection at the Consumer Federation of America, emailed “For some time now, consumer and privacy groups have been calling for better, easier-to-use tools for Facebook users to control their personal information. These are definitely steps in the right direction.”

Sources: Slate.com and PcWorld.com