Irish privacy watchdog calls for Facebook changes

The Irish data protection commissioner has recommended widespread changes to improve privacy on Facebook. They include making its terms and conditions clearer and offering users greater control over how their data is used on the site. The findings are particularly significant because Facebook Ireland was given responsibility for all non-US and Canadian data in September 2010. Facebook has six months to implement the changes. Commissioner Billy Hawkes will conduct a formal review of its progress in July. Commenting on the report, he said: "This was a challenging engagement both for my office and for Facebook Ireland. The audit has found a positive approach and commitment on the part of FB-I [Facebook Ireland] to respecting the privacy rights of its users." Transparency Facebook welcomed the review, saying: "We are pleased that the report demonstrates how Facebook adheres to European data protection principles and complies with Irish law. "Of course, the report highlights some areas where we can improve and reach best practice." The report suggested widespread changes, including: * a mechanism for users to make an informed choice for how their information is used and shared on the site, including in relation to third party apps * an update to its data use policy/privacy policy to take account of recommendations as to where the information provided to users could be further improved * transparency and control for users via the provision of all personal data held to them on request and as part of their everyday interaction with the site * the deletion of information held on users and non-users via what are known as social plug-ins, and more generally the deletion of data held from user interactions with the site much sooner than presently * increased transparency and controls for the use of personal data for advertising purposes * an additional form of notification for users in relation to facial recognition/"tag suggest" that, it is considered, will ensure Facebook Ireland is meeting best practice in this area from an Irish law perspective * an enhanced ability for users to control tagging and posting on other user profiles * an enhanced ability for users to control their addition to groups by friends The review is the latest in a series of privacy investigations. Last month the US Federal Trade Commission said the social network giant had engaged in "unfair and deceptive" practices over changes made to its privacy settings in 2009. In a blog post at the time, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said the company had made a "bunch of mistakes". But he added that this had often overshadowed the good work that the social networking site, which has more than 800 million users, had done.