Facebook rolling out privacy choices under EU rules

Facebook announced yesterday it would begin rolling out changes to how it handles private data this week to comply with forthcoming EU rules, with European residents seeing the measures first, reports AFP from Menlo Park.

The social network, which has been rocked by disclosures about hijacking of personal data on tens of millions of its users, said it will start implementing “new privacy experiences” to comply with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which become effective May 25.

“Everyone—no matter where they live—will be asked to review important information about how Facebook uses data and make choices about their privacy on Facebook,” said a statement from chief privacy officer Erin Egan and deputy general counsel Ashlie Beringer.

“We’ll begin by rolling these choices out in Europe this week.”

Under the new policy, Facebook users will be asked to review and make choices about ads they receive, including whether they want Facebook to use data from third parties.

Facebook users will also be asked to review and choose what to share about the political, religious, and relationship information on their profiles. Additionally, users will be allowed to opt in or out of use of facial recognition technology.

The statement said users will be told that facial recognition is optional, but that it could offer some benefit, such as being notified when someone is using an unauthorized picture.

 

Facebook rolling out privacy choices under EU rules

Facebook announced yesterday it would begin rolling out changes to how it handles private data this week to comply with forthcoming EU rules, with European residents seeing the measures first, reports AFP from Menlo Park. The social network, which has been rocked by disclosures about hijacking of personal data on tens of millions of its users, said it will start implementing new privacy experiences to comply with the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which become effective May 25. Everyoneno matter where they livewill be asked to review important information about how Facebook uses data and make choices about their privacy on Facebook, said a statement from chief privacy officer Erin Egan and deputy general counsel Ashlie Beringer. Well begin by rolling these choices out in Europe this week. Under the new policy, Facebook users will be asked to review and make choices about ads they receive, including whether they want Facebook to use data from third parties. Facebook users will also be asked to review and choose what to share about the political, religious, and relationship information on their profiles. Additionally, users will be allowed to opt in or out of use of facial recognition technology. The statement said users will be told that facial recognition is optional, but that it could offer some benefit, such as being notified when someone is using an unauthorized picture.