Relax everybody, Zuck's got your back.
You might start noticing a few new ads in your Facebook feed over the next few days.
This is because the social media company is rolling out a new educational campaign in order to help users better understand how to manage their data and privacy settings.
Basically, they know we don't have the time to read the finer print in any agreement. So instead they're clearing a few things just in case you are afraid of having been signed up for a cage-fight showdown in a Siberian cow shed run by the mob.
Facebook wants to remind you that if this happens, they didn't do it.
You did.
This will mark the first time that the company has
published its privacy principles, with a series of educational videos being posted onto users news feeds in order to help them understand who can access their information.
The videos will go through various tasks, such as managing who can see what you share, how to delete old posts, what deactivating your account means and how to control what information Facebook uses to show you adverts.
The announcement comes ahead of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, which will be implemented on 25 May and intends to standardise the rights of all European citizens to data privacy. These regulations will also seek for greater transparency, security and accountability by data controllers and processors.
Here are some of the key details Facebook wants its users to know about their privacy ahead of the change in May:
1. They are going to make their privacy settings much, much easier to find
The company has said it plans to introduce a new privacy centre, which is set to feature all of the core privacy settings in one place.
So, instead of having to click through various different sections in your settings to adjust privacy, you'll be able to make these changes in a quicker, convenient fashion.
2. The best way to start protecting information is through a Privacy Checkup review
Privacy Checkup is the best way to review who can see your information, such as phone numbers, posts, emails and even what apps you have permitted access of your information.
This feature, however, isn't currently available to everyone, plus it is only usable on certain devices. If you do not currently have access to the check-up, it doesn't mean you have weaker security, because the same adjustments can be made in the more general privacy settings section. Privacy Checkup on the other hand is a far more convenient model.
3. Small businesses are being given greater priority in 2018
In the announcement, Facebook said they will be developing resources to help small and medium businesses strengthen
privacy in their service. They will be doing this by arranging a series of workshops throughout 2018 on data protection, which will focus on the EU's General Data Protection Regulation.
These are going to be necessary, since any breach of the regulation could result in a hefty fine.
For customers, this is also good news, since it means you will be able to ask an organisation what information they have on you, while also helping you prevent a company from sending you a newsletter randomly.
4. Deleting your account is not as simple as it sounds...
While Facebook says you can "delete your account whenever you want", they are keen to emphasise that there is some confusion over what this means, since a lot of users mistake it for deactivation.
Deactivation only puts an account on hold. A user's profile is disabled and most mentions of your name or photographs will be removed. However, if you choose to reactivate your account, all of the account's information will be restored.
Deletion will mean in the space of 90 days, all your data stored in backup systems are erased. If you're feeling brave enough to cut and run completely, you'll have a few days to appear the decision. They have also pointed out that some information will remain in the database, but if it's any reassurance, it will not have any personal identifiers.
