It’s really not the new Facebook privacy settings that tick me off. Indeed, thousands of articles have been written about how Facebook’s settings could put you and your family at risk. It’s the audacity of how they did it that really ticked me off.
Recently Facebook asked us (actually they told us) to change our privacy settings, or else. It was an “Important Message” that read something like this:
“We’re making you change your privacy settings. And, since we know that 99% percent of you are too busy to doodle around with our impossibly complicated and arcane instructions, we’re going to suggest some to you. These will end up risking your bank account, expose you to viruses and endanger your personal safety, but what the heck.”
The problem is that, as many people have pointed out, Facebook’s suggested “privacy” settings would open-up your most private information, allow the juice-will-save-your life folks to accost you and expose your kids to muggers and rapists.
No big deal. Heck, what really got to me was the way they did it. They forced all of us to change our settings at that very moment. Not even banks do that!
That’s right. Here’s the screen – and good luck to you if you’d like an answer to the question, “Well, Ok Facebook, what were my old privacy settings?” Forget it – there was no way to check. You were locked out of your FB account until you filled out their form.
Let’s just take that first one, the “About me” section. Here’s what Facebook suggests for your “About me” profile – make it accessible to everyone.
Go to your Facebook profile right now and see if you can find “About me.” Do it. Good freaking luck.
I looked for 20 minutes and decided that the time I waste deciphering social networking sites would be better spent watching paint dry.
Maybe I’m missing something somewhere, but that’s why I’m ticked off. Oh, and that little bit about your privacy and safety being in jeopardy. That too.
Now, off to see if I can find someone, anyone, at Facebook who cares.
2 comments ↓
Michael,
Maybe it’s a day for being pissed off!
I just posted about the annoyance of people sending me e-mails when I DIDN”T ASK FOR THEM TO BE SENT! So, I fully get your post. Sometimes things just push you to the edge.
Not to rub salt into the wounds, and perhaps now you are even past caring, BUT, the About Me section can be seen on the Info tab, in the Personal Information section, about me.
Having said all of that, I totally agree about the privacy and being forced to change things and not really being helped out along the way.
Glad things rocked in Atlanta! Hope you are both over your colds.
Thanks Megan,
Email is on my list of upcoming articles to rant about. But, glad you did it for me.
I looked at the Info tab, by the way – under the Personal Information – and find My Favorite Music, Books, and TV Shows – but not something that is marked “About Me.” But, I’ll keep looking…….
Thanks, as always.
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