On August 27, 2013, Facebook published a blog post stating it released its first Global Government Requests Report detailing information requests.
The exact information included:
- Which countries requested information from Facebook about our users
- The number of requests received from each of those countries
- The number of users/user accounts specified in those requests
- The percentage of these requests in which we were required by law to disclose at least some data
Today, Facebook announced proposed updates to two documents: Data Use Policy (DUP) and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (SRR). These documents define how Facebook collects and uses data and rules it applies “when you choose to use Facebook.”
The social network released a section-by-section summary update defining the changes it’s proposing.
The Data Use Policy proposal appears to add transparency to the information it gathers like when people know you’re on Facebook, information Facebook gathers, and removing personally identifiable data before providing it to advertisers. Using the information can be defined by using Facebook, you grant permission to use the information gathered to operate the network and use profile pictures to suggest tags. There is also a section on information accessible through other websites and applications and rewriting of the Personalized Ads section.
The Statement of Rights and Responsibilities expands to explain that you are responsible for all fees incurred through text or data accumulated by using the mobile app. Facebook is going to “further explain” how your information can be used for advertisements or commercial content.
The changes are not final, but it’s good to be aware of what Facebook wants to change.
Read the summary below.
Data Use Policy
Information we receive and how it is used >> Information we receive about you
Your information. We clarified that information is shared with Facebook when you communicate with us, like by sending us an email.
Other information we receive about you. We made a few updates to this section to:
- simplify the explanation for when information is received from people (such as whenever you use or are running Facebook);
- clarify that some of the information we receive from the device you use to access or run Facebook is from and about the device itself (such as an IP address, operating system, or mobile phone number);
- add an example to help explain how we use data we already have about you and your friends to tailor your experience (such as making friend suggestions and picking stories for your News Feed); and
- explain that we only provide data to our advertisers after we’ve removed personally identifiable information or combined it with other data so that it no longer personally identifies you.
Usernames and User IDs. We clarified the language to make it easier to understand Usernames and User IDs and how they can be used to identify and reach you. For example, through a Facebook URL (facebook.com/username) or by sending you a message (username@facebook.com).
How we use the information we receive. We made a few updates to this section to:
- emphasize that by using our services, you grant us permission to use the information we receive to operate Facebook.
- add an example to underscore that we may share information with service providers when they help us provide services.
- reiterate that public information may be accessed by anyone on or off Facebook.
- explain that we will use profile pictures to suggest tags of you in photos.
Sharing and finding you on Facebook
Control each time you post. We added an example to explain that if the audience of a post changes after someone comments, that change impacts who can see the comment. We also made it easier to understand that you control the audience of your posts, even after you posted.
Links and Tags. We edited the tip to make clear that, unlike tags, links do not expand an audience of a post. We also added a tip about the social reporting tool, which gives people a quick and easy way to ask for help from someone they trust.
Pages. We added a tip to remind you that you can learn about how to control who sees the pages you’ve liked in our Help Center.
Other websites and applications
Controlling what information you share with applications. We made a few updates to this section to:
- clarify that apps are authorized to have your information from the time you agree to share it until you ask them directly to delete it, including updating the information they have permission to access.
- remind you that you should consider removing an app that you no longer use.
- remind you that you always can contact an app directly to ask them to delete the data you shared with it.
- add an example to show you how an app may use information to personalize the app experience (e.g. some apps use information such as your friends list to personalize your experience or show you which of your friends use that particular app).
How advertising works
Personalized Ads. We rewrote this section to:
- highlight how we use the information we receive to show you ads that we hope you find relevant and interesting.
- expand the explanation of the controls we give you over the ads you see on our ad page at www.facebook.com/about/ads.
- explain that advertisers may also be able to reach you on Facebook using the information they already have about you (such as email addresses or whether you have visited their websites previously).
Statement of Rights and Responsibilities
Mobile and Other Devices. Facebook provides its services for free, but we wanted to make sure you know that you are responsible for any normal rates and fees, including text messaging and data charges, associated with using Facebook and receiving content on their device, including sponsored or commercial content.
About Advertisements and Other Commercial Content Served or Enhanced by Facebook. As part of a legal settlement, we agreed to further explain how we may use your name, profile picture, content and information in connection with ads or commercial content. We included an example of how these ads work and explained that when you limit your audience, we’ll respect that choice. We also added a provision stating that minor users must represent that a parent or guardian has consented to this section of our terms, on their behalf.
- Special Provisions Applicable to Software. We explain that, by downloading our apps or software, you allow us to keep them up-to-date, which helps improve, enhance, and further develop the software.
- Disputes. We made an administrative change related to the location of our headquarters.
- Special Provisions Applicable to Users Outside the United States. We made clear that you are not allowed to use Facebook if you are prohibited from receiving products or services from the United States.
- Definitions. We updated the term “use” to make it clear it includes anytime you run Facebook.
