Facebook – Social Media Giant Updates Terms of Service

    Author Nicky ToorPosted on Categories Online MediaTags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Facebook updates

    Facebook (Nasdaq:FB) has updated its terms of service and data policy for the first time since 2015.

    The social media company has recently been under fire in the media over the company’s involvement in the Cambridge Analytica data scandal.

    >>>Tech Stocks Plummet as Lawmakers Blast Facebook Over Data Breach

    Personal information of almost 87 million, not 50 million, Facebook users said to have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica, according to a recent article from Reuters.

    In a recent press release, Facebook has said that they are attempting to make things more clear for users, including where their information is going.

    Facebook says that it will explain to users how it uses data “and why it’s needed to customize the posts and ads [users] see.”

    The company has also officially acknowledged that it owns other companies; Whatsapp, Occulus, Instagram, and Messenger. Messenger and Instagram will also be using the same data policy as Facebook.

    Regarding the allegations that Facebook had logged into peoples call and text history without their permission, the company said: “this is not the case.”

    According to Facebook, “call and text history logging is part of an opt-in feature for people using Messenger or Facebook Lite on Android” and users can turn it off in settings. For more information, users can also go to Facebook’s Help Centre.

    Nine of the changes that the company will be making have been listed in another press release, which includes changes to App Controls, Search and Account Recovery, and tightening Facebook Login policies.

    Facebook shut down the Partner Categories program, which allowed “third-party data providers offer their targeting directly on Facebook,” just last week.

    >>>Cambridge Analytica Still Has Not Deleted Facebook Data

    For the next week, users are encouraged to provide feedback to the company on the new policy.

    After the feedback period, Facebook will publish the policy and ask users to agree to it on Facebook.

    Shares of the company have only gone down approximately 1% today, so far.

    Featured Image: Twitter

    Author Nicky Toor
    About the author: Nicky graduated with a BA in Journalism and a Minor in English from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She has written on a variety of different topics including fashion, beauty, entertainment and finance. Her favourite things to do are travel (when she can) and to spend time with friends and family, including her dog Kobe.