Facebook settles with US over deception charges
By BARBARA ORTUTAY
NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it deceived consumers with its privacy settings to get people to share more personal information than they originally agreed to.
The FTC had charged that the social network told people they could keep the information they share private, then allowed it to be made public.
The charges go back to at least 2009, when Facebook changed its privacy settings so that information users may have deemed private, such as their list of friends, suddenly became viewable to everyone.
"They didn't warn users that this change was coming, or get their approval in advance," the FTC said.
The FTC said the settlement requires Facebook to get people's approval before changing how it shares their data.
In a blog post, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company has made a "bunch of mistakes." But he adds that this has often overshadowed the good work Facebook has done. He says Facebook has addressed many of the FTC's concerns already.
The settlement is similar to one Google agreed to earlier this year over its Buzz social networking service. Like Google, Facebook has agreed to obtain assessments of its privacy practices by independent, third-party auditors for the next 20 years.
Facebook isn't paying anything to settle the case, though future violations could lead to civil fines.
Zuckerberg said Facebook has created two new executive positions — a chief privacy officer of products and a chief privacy officer of policy as part of its response to the settlement.
@yahoonews on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook
Editors' Picks
Protesters burn a British flag taken down from the British embassy in Tehranslideshow
UK Embassy in Iran stormed
Cause of collapse of the bridge spanning the Mahakam river in Indonesia's Borneo island was not immediately clearslideshow
Indonesia bridge collapse
GOPstory
Why Romney needs Cain
Los Angeles Police Department officers Confront protesters and media at the Occupy LA encampment outside Los Angeles City Hallslideshow
Arrests at Occupy L.A.
SMALLTHUMBvideo
Royals who live normal lives in U.S.
stalinslideshow
Stalin's daughter dies at 85
Explore Related Content
1 - 4 of 12
Private Investigators Look For Insurance Fraud On Social Media SitesPlay Video
Private Investigators Look For Insurance …
Facebook settles with FTC over deception …
Facebook is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it deceived … Full Story »Facebook settles with FTC over deception charges
AP
Facebook security issuesPlay Video
Facebook security issues
Facebook settles US privacy violation …
Facebook agreed to tighten its privacy policies in order to settle charges that it … Full Story »Facebook settles US privacy violation charges
AFP
Top Stories »
Medal of Honor recipient fights allegations he is mentally unstable
Vay: Ginger White never mentioned Cain
Jackson doc gets 4-year sentence, tongue lashing
APNewsBreak: New Calif. border drug tunnel found
Ga. counseling student in court over view on gays
Bachmann, Huntsman, but not Gingrich think Cain should quit
Obama 'disturbed' by storming of UK embassy in Iran
Most Popular
Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot files $10 million lawsuit against South American authorities–and murder victim’s father
Elderly man returns cash stolen from Sears in '40s
Man accidentally gives away life savings hidden away in donated suit
iPhone 4 Explodes Midflight on Australian Airline
Herman Cain considers dropping his presidential bid
Arizona gun club lets children hold high-powered guns while posing for Christmas pictures
Today on Yahoo!
1 - 4 of 47
Cain reassessing bid after allegation
Cain reassessing bid after allegation
Conrad Murray hit with maximum sentence
Conrad Murray hit with maximum sentence
Wayne Gretzky's daughter tweets racy pics
Wayne Gretzky's daughter tweets racy pics
MMA star's nasty diss of ring girl
MMA star's nasty diss of ring girl
All Comments
Shared On Facebook
My Comments
eric • Taipei City, Taiwan • Show location? HelpComment Guidelines
your avatar
Please Enter a Comment
Manage Updates
Your updates will be shared through Yahoo! Updates based on your preferences.
Start sharing your updates on Yahoo! to Facebook based on your preferences. Add Facebook Start sharing your updates on Yahoo! to Twitter based on your preferences. Add Twitter
20 comments
Popular Now
Newest
Oldest
Most Replied
GPfisher
8Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
GPfisher 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Let's see, Facebook did a smear campaign against Google and now they're settling with the FTC over deceiving consumers with their privacy settings. Maybe they need to change their name to TwoFaced. And to think, they're getting ready to do an IPO.
Reply
Kelly
8Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Kelly • San Diego, United States • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Down with facebook, back to reality.
Reply
David
6Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
David • Los Angeles, United States • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Zuckerberg: "Okay, we were bad and we're really, really, really, really sorry".FTC: "Sounds good to us.#$%$!
Reply
doubtingt
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
doubtingt 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Who is that clown Zuckerberg and the government kidding? The government uses facebook to get info on folks. I never got a facebook either. I have no desire to tell "friends" what I ate for lunch or how many times I pooped today.
Reply
missfrancy
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
missfrancy 6 hours ago Report Abuse
I was thinking waaay ahead when I decided not to have a Facebook page years back. People's lives are less private now these days anyways, whether they participate in social media or not.
Reply
manguydude
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
manguydude • Charlotte, United States • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
face what?
Reply
Bob Ranger
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Bob Ranger • Cocoa Beach, United States • 2 hours ago Report Abuse
Don't use Facebook and you won't have to worry about ANY personal info being shared...
Reply
Mel
2Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Mel 5 hours ago Report Abuse
Zuckerberg is such a great "Wealth to Riches" story.
Reply
charlie
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
charlie about an hour ago Report Abuse
I think it's over rated and a good way not to communicate. They think people are losing their social skills due to social networks and other forms of media. And truefully, most people aren't smart enough to realize that everything they put out there is there, somewhere, forever.
Reply
Steve
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Steve • Rose Hill, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Facebook is what people make of it and have made of it,but of course we know its things and not people that are always to blame.
Reply
Earl
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Earl 7 hours ago Report Abuse
I'm still on MySpace :)
Reply
.....
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
..... 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Still not much of a story...but thanks for deleting my previous post!
Reply
Gorgon
5Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Gorgon • Seattle, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Facebook = sleazy online stupidity
Reply
Daniel
0Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Daniel • Goldthwaite, United States • 43 minutes ago Report Abuse
They track every move ya make and then they spam ya. LOL
Reply
J.
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
J. • Washington, United States • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
So, Zuckerberg got off SCOTT-FREE? How shocking.
Reply
Shady Lady From TX
2Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Shady Lady From TX • Richardson, United States • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
I use Facebook to spy on friends and family
Reply
Wake Upnow
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Wake Upnow • Reno, United States • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
so a government agency fines a corperation because they have lied about info ? .....instead of being shut down they continue as well as gov agencies that do a little of a "bust" for the citizens of this country so they can keep their jobs without actually doing what the average citizen would deem... More
Reply
Montville Local
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down3
Montville Local • Newark, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
What good has Facebook done? They lie to their users, by use of the service many hours a day are wasted, and they have also made it easier for people to loose their jobs (due to postings). Sounds more like a 'Social Disease' than a 'Social Network'.
1 Reply
James
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
James • Los Angeles, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
I would comment, but i'm worried Facebook will share it with a third party...
Reply
Energy Star
2Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Energy Star 4 hours ago Report Abuse
Aww poor Zuck, oh look he got over it
Reply
Post a comment
News For You
Wife, son of ex-Pa. soft drink CEO found guilty
Salvation Army not allowed at Midwest retailer
We Didn't Know About the Fed's $7.7 Trillion Loans To Wall Street
Police: officers shoot woman stabbing her child
NY's Steuben Glass company closes lone factory
German man accused of fathering daughter's 3 sons
Bye, bye: McLean clears up 'American Pie' origins
Singer Charlotte Church: Press destroyed my career
Rich People Behaving Badly: Waiting For Our Marie Antoinette Moment
That Bank Bailout Was Way Bigger Than Anyone Thought
Sponsored Links
( What's this? )
2011 Market Crash?
Analyst Dennis Slothower foresaw 2008 collapse; issues new warning
www.stealthstocksonline.com
Collect Social Security
We help Americans collect the benefits they are entitles to receive.
socialsecuritydisabilitybenefit.co
Celebrity Reflection
Celebrity Reflection cruise review, expert cruise reviews and more.
VacationCruisesInfo.com/Reflection
Tech News »
Reports say 'Cyber Monday' top online shopping day MAE ANDERSON
Online shoppers spent record amounts on the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making it the biggest online shopping day in history.
Questions and answers about Facebook and privacy BARBARA ORTUTAY
On Facebook, people talk about births and deaths. They share party shots, ultrasound scans and deliver news about serious illnesses in a way that was unimaginable just a few years ago.
FILE - This Oct. 11, 2010 file photo, shows the logo of the online network Facebook, recorded in Munich with a magnifying glass of a computer screen of a laptop. Facebook said Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, it is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it deceived consumers. The FTC had charged that the social network told people they could keep the information they share private and then allowed for it to be made public. The charges go back to 2009.(AP Photo/dapd, Joerg Koch)
Facebook makes privacy pledge in FTC settlement MICHAEL LIEDTKE
Government regulators are sharing some alarming information about Facebook: They believe the online social network has often misled its more than 800 million users about the sanctity of their personal …
Just Show Me: How to use the volume up button to take a picture on your iPhone Tecca
Welcome to Just Show Me on Tecca TV, where we show you tips and tricks for getting the most out of the gadgets in your life. In today's episode we'll show you how to use the volume up button to take a …
Photoshopped images could soon come with a warning label Tecca
Photoshop and software like it can be powerful image editing tools to take your photography from boring to brilliant, but it also makes it relatively easy to alter photographs for less honorable purposes. …
Search
Keyword
Featured
Video: Wanderlust
Top 5 places from the movies. More »Video: Wanderlust
Destination 2012
Begin your journey in a historic election year with Yahoo! News More »Destination 2012
Upgrade Your Life
Cutting down on printing costs. More »Upgrade Your Life
Livestand launches
Yahoo! launches Livestand iPad app. More »Livestand launches
Education Education
What's the hottest field right now?
See how you could prepare for a career in this hot industry.
How to: Switch careers in one year
See how the right certificate program could prepare you for a new career in one year.
By BARBARA ORTUTAY
NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it deceived consumers with its privacy settings to get people to share more personal information than they originally agreed to.
The FTC had charged that the social network told people they could keep the information they share private, then allowed it to be made public.
The charges go back to at least 2009, when Facebook changed its privacy settings so that information users may have deemed private, such as their list of friends, suddenly became viewable to everyone.
"They didn't warn users that this change was coming, or get their approval in advance," the FTC said.
The FTC said the settlement requires Facebook to get people's approval before changing how it shares their data.
In a blog post, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company has made a "bunch of mistakes." But he adds that this has often overshadowed the good work Facebook has done. He says Facebook has addressed many of the FTC's concerns already.
The settlement is similar to one Google agreed to earlier this year over its Buzz social networking service. Like Google, Facebook has agreed to obtain assessments of its privacy practices by independent, third-party auditors for the next 20 years.
Facebook isn't paying anything to settle the case, though future violations could lead to civil fines.
Zuckerberg said Facebook has created two new executive positions — a chief privacy officer of products and a chief privacy officer of policy as part of its response to the settlement.
@yahoonews on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook
Editors' Picks
Protesters burn a British flag taken down from the British embassy in Tehranslideshow
UK Embassy in Iran stormed
Cause of collapse of the bridge spanning the Mahakam river in Indonesia's Borneo island was not immediately clearslideshow
Indonesia bridge collapse
GOPstory
Why Romney needs Cain
Los Angeles Police Department officers Confront protesters and media at the Occupy LA encampment outside Los Angeles City Hallslideshow
Arrests at Occupy L.A.
SMALLTHUMBvideo
Royals who live normal lives in U.S.
stalinslideshow
Stalin's daughter dies at 85
Explore Related Content
1 - 4 of 12
Private Investigators Look For Insurance Fraud On Social Media SitesPlay Video
Private Investigators Look For Insurance …
Facebook settles with FTC over deception …
Facebook is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it deceived … Full Story »Facebook settles with FTC over deception charges
AP
Facebook security issuesPlay Video
Facebook security issues
Facebook settles US privacy violation …
Facebook agreed to tighten its privacy policies in order to settle charges that it … Full Story »Facebook settles US privacy violation charges
AFP
Top Stories »
Medal of Honor recipient fights allegations he is mentally unstable
Vay: Ginger White never mentioned Cain
Jackson doc gets 4-year sentence, tongue lashing
APNewsBreak: New Calif. border drug tunnel found
Ga. counseling student in court over view on gays
Bachmann, Huntsman, but not Gingrich think Cain should quit
Obama 'disturbed' by storming of UK embassy in Iran
Most Popular
Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot files $10 million lawsuit against South American authorities–and murder victim’s father
Elderly man returns cash stolen from Sears in '40s
Man accidentally gives away life savings hidden away in donated suit
iPhone 4 Explodes Midflight on Australian Airline
Herman Cain considers dropping his presidential bid
Arizona gun club lets children hold high-powered guns while posing for Christmas pictures
Today on Yahoo!
1 - 4 of 47
Cain reassessing bid after allegation
Cain reassessing bid after allegation
Conrad Murray hit with maximum sentence
Conrad Murray hit with maximum sentence
Wayne Gretzky's daughter tweets racy pics
Wayne Gretzky's daughter tweets racy pics
MMA star's nasty diss of ring girl
MMA star's nasty diss of ring girl
All Comments
Shared On Facebook
My Comments
eric • Taipei City, Taiwan • Show location? HelpComment Guidelines
your avatar
Please Enter a Comment
Manage Updates
Your updates will be shared through Yahoo! Updates based on your preferences.
Start sharing your updates on Yahoo! to Facebook based on your preferences. Add Facebook Start sharing your updates on Yahoo! to Twitter based on your preferences. Add Twitter
20 comments
Popular Now
Newest
Oldest
Most Replied
GPfisher
8Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
GPfisher 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Let's see, Facebook did a smear campaign against Google and now they're settling with the FTC over deceiving consumers with their privacy settings. Maybe they need to change their name to TwoFaced. And to think, they're getting ready to do an IPO.
Reply
Kelly
8Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Kelly • San Diego, United States • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Down with facebook, back to reality.
Reply
David
6Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
David • Los Angeles, United States • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Zuckerberg: "Okay, we were bad and we're really, really, really, really sorry".FTC: "Sounds good to us.#$%$!
Reply
doubtingt
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
doubtingt 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Who is that clown Zuckerberg and the government kidding? The government uses facebook to get info on folks. I never got a facebook either. I have no desire to tell "friends" what I ate for lunch or how many times I pooped today.
Reply
missfrancy
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
missfrancy 6 hours ago Report Abuse
I was thinking waaay ahead when I decided not to have a Facebook page years back. People's lives are less private now these days anyways, whether they participate in social media or not.
Reply
manguydude
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
manguydude • Charlotte, United States • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
face what?
Reply
Bob Ranger
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Bob Ranger • Cocoa Beach, United States • 2 hours ago Report Abuse
Don't use Facebook and you won't have to worry about ANY personal info being shared...
Reply
Mel
2Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Mel 5 hours ago Report Abuse
Zuckerberg is such a great "Wealth to Riches" story.
Reply
charlie
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
charlie about an hour ago Report Abuse
I think it's over rated and a good way not to communicate. They think people are losing their social skills due to social networks and other forms of media. And truefully, most people aren't smart enough to realize that everything they put out there is there, somewhere, forever.
Reply
Steve
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Steve • Rose Hill, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Facebook is what people make of it and have made of it,but of course we know its things and not people that are always to blame.
Reply
Earl
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Earl 7 hours ago Report Abuse
I'm still on MySpace :)
Reply
.....
1Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
..... 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Still not much of a story...but thanks for deleting my previous post!
Reply
Gorgon
5Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Gorgon • Seattle, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Facebook = sleazy online stupidity
Reply
Daniel
0Thumbs UpThumbs Down0
Daniel • Goldthwaite, United States • 43 minutes ago Report Abuse
They track every move ya make and then they spam ya. LOL
Reply
J.
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
J. • Washington, United States • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
So, Zuckerberg got off SCOTT-FREE? How shocking.
Reply
Shady Lady From TX
2Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Shady Lady From TX • Richardson, United States • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
I use Facebook to spy on friends and family
Reply
Wake Upnow
4Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Wake Upnow • Reno, United States • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
so a government agency fines a corperation because they have lied about info ? .....instead of being shut down they continue as well as gov agencies that do a little of a "bust" for the citizens of this country so they can keep their jobs without actually doing what the average citizen would deem... More
Reply
Montville Local
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down3
Montville Local • Newark, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
What good has Facebook done? They lie to their users, by use of the service many hours a day are wasted, and they have also made it easier for people to loose their jobs (due to postings). Sounds more like a 'Social Disease' than a 'Social Network'.
1 Reply
James
3Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
James • Los Angeles, United States • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
I would comment, but i'm worried Facebook will share it with a third party...
Reply
Energy Star
2Thumbs UpThumbs Down1
Energy Star 4 hours ago Report Abuse
Aww poor Zuck, oh look he got over it
Reply
Post a comment
News For You
Wife, son of ex-Pa. soft drink CEO found guilty
Salvation Army not allowed at Midwest retailer
We Didn't Know About the Fed's $7.7 Trillion Loans To Wall Street
Police: officers shoot woman stabbing her child
NY's Steuben Glass company closes lone factory
German man accused of fathering daughter's 3 sons
Bye, bye: McLean clears up 'American Pie' origins
Singer Charlotte Church: Press destroyed my career
Rich People Behaving Badly: Waiting For Our Marie Antoinette Moment
That Bank Bailout Was Way Bigger Than Anyone Thought
Sponsored Links
( What's this? )
2011 Market Crash?
Analyst Dennis Slothower foresaw 2008 collapse; issues new warning
www.stealthstocksonline.com
Collect Social Security
We help Americans collect the benefits they are entitles to receive.
socialsecuritydisabilitybenefit.co
Celebrity Reflection
Celebrity Reflection cruise review, expert cruise reviews and more.
VacationCruisesInfo.com/Reflection
Tech News »
Reports say 'Cyber Monday' top online shopping day MAE ANDERSON
Online shoppers spent record amounts on the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making it the biggest online shopping day in history.
Questions and answers about Facebook and privacy BARBARA ORTUTAY
On Facebook, people talk about births and deaths. They share party shots, ultrasound scans and deliver news about serious illnesses in a way that was unimaginable just a few years ago.
FILE - This Oct. 11, 2010 file photo, shows the logo of the online network Facebook, recorded in Munich with a magnifying glass of a computer screen of a laptop. Facebook said Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, it is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over charges it deceived consumers. The FTC had charged that the social network told people they could keep the information they share private and then allowed for it to be made public. The charges go back to 2009.(AP Photo/dapd, Joerg Koch)
Facebook makes privacy pledge in FTC settlement MICHAEL LIEDTKE
Government regulators are sharing some alarming information about Facebook: They believe the online social network has often misled its more than 800 million users about the sanctity of their personal …
Just Show Me: How to use the volume up button to take a picture on your iPhone Tecca
Welcome to Just Show Me on Tecca TV, where we show you tips and tricks for getting the most out of the gadgets in your life. In today's episode we'll show you how to use the volume up button to take a …
Photoshopped images could soon come with a warning label Tecca
Photoshop and software like it can be powerful image editing tools to take your photography from boring to brilliant, but it also makes it relatively easy to alter photographs for less honorable purposes. …
Search
Keyword
Featured
Video: Wanderlust
Top 5 places from the movies. More »Video: Wanderlust
Destination 2012
Begin your journey in a historic election year with Yahoo! News More »Destination 2012
Upgrade Your Life
Cutting down on printing costs. More »Upgrade Your Life
Livestand launches
Yahoo! launches Livestand iPad app. More »Livestand launches
Education Education
What's the hottest field right now?
See how you could prepare for a career in this hot industry.
How to: Switch careers in one year
See how the right certificate program could prepare you for a new career in one year.
Comments
Post a Comment