Is Facebook Moving too fast too Quickly?

Back in August 2013 Facebook proposed updates to their governing documents; Data Usage Policy and Statements of Rights and Responsibilities. The update would allow personal information such as the consumer’s name, profile picture and content to be connected to advertising or other commercial content, as explained by Erin Egan, Facebook Chief Privacy Officer.

However Facebook recently released an explanation of their update on Friday 15th November. Erin Egan clarify’s that ‘nothing about the update (Friday) has changed our advertising policies and practices.’ Facebook explains that its a social platform in which users choose to share content with family and friends. Facebook relates this to how their Ads work; whereby they show users sponsored links of pages that their friends have interacted with. Advertising is not a new concept, its just that the consumer’s have become more concerned or more aware with their personal information being shared online.

Although the public has raised concerns for adverts being shown to teenagers on Facebook. Senator Edward Markey was concerned that ‘Facebook’s new policies would force teenagers to share more of their information publicly.’ As a result Markey has proposed a ‘Do Not Track Kids Act’, to protect 13-15 year old privacy information online. On the other hand, teenagers are subject to advertisements in other media’s; the difference is their personal information isn’t shared.

There is a possibility that if consumers decide Facebook is introducing too many changes, the social media platform may plummet; and other social media’s may flourish as a result; or consumer’s may be looking for something new.