ทดสอบบล็อก: Facebook-FTC Privacy Settlement Near, Leaks Say

It's one of the drawbacks of being on Facebook: If you never make any adjustments to your privacy settings, you can assume everyone can see everything you post, or do, while using the giant social media network. Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004 and now claiming an astonishing 800 million users seems ready to give in to pressure for more built-in privacy, as it negotiates with the Federal Trade Commission to settle claims that it violates users' rights.

Reports Friday said Facebook will agree to ask users to opt-in to any changes that allow their information to be used by the company -- something it's hard to imagine many users will want to do.

Leaked Information

Perhaps ironically, the news of a settlement about privacy came via leaks from people involved in the negotiations to the media.

Bloomberg Business Week, citing "a person familiar with the negotiations," said Facebook would agree to "get express consent from users before sharing material posted under earlier, more restrictive terms."

The Wall Street Journal also reported that sources close to the talks said Facebook agreed to obtain express consent from users before making material retroactive changes in privacy. The New York Times said the two sides are near a settlement that would include privacy audits for the next 20 years and preventing Facebook from making public any future information without their consent, but said the deal would not include requiring Facebook to ask users if they want to participate in current or future sharing features.

Facebook has good reason to put the legal matters behind it, Business Week said: An initial public offering could come next year, and it doesn't want jittery investors.

The Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center as well as the Center for Digital Democracy, the Consumer Federation and others asked the FTC to investigate whether Facebook was engaging...
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