Facebook shows users how to turn off facial recognitionFacebook has responded to the privacy outcry over its new facial recognition system by running adverts that show users how to turn it off.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Photo: AP
By Christopher Williams, Technology Correspondent
2:11PM BST 27 Jul 2011
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Users were quietly opted in to the “Tag Suggestions” feature earlier this year.
It uses facial recognition technology to identify people in photographs posted on Facebook, and then suggests to their friends that they should “tag” them so they are easier to find.
The move prompted concerns that photographs could be shared more widely than intended and criticism that Facebook was “eroding the online privacy of its users by stealth”. Privacy campaigners said users should have been given a choice as to whether to participate.
Facebook admitted it “should have been more clear” about the system and is now running adverts on all user profile that “help people to learn about the feature and how they can control it”.
The ads, which Facebook said have been displayed more than 2.7 billion times, invite users to adjust their privacy settings.
George Jepsen, the attorney general of Connecticut, who was among the most vocal critics of Tag Suggestions, said on Tuesday he was satisfied by Facebook’s response.
“Facebook has made significant changes that will provide better service and greater privacy protection to its users,” he said.
“For any users who opt out, any facial recognition data collected will be deleted.”
The privacy controversy over facial recognition was just the latest to hit Facebook. The firm has an established pattern of implementing new features that push users to expose more personal data, and then making adjustments in response to criticism.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Photo: AP
By Christopher Williams, Technology Correspondent
2:11PM BST 27 Jul 2011
=================================================
Users were quietly opted in to the “Tag Suggestions” feature earlier this year.
It uses facial recognition technology to identify people in photographs posted on Facebook, and then suggests to their friends that they should “tag” them so they are easier to find.
The move prompted concerns that photographs could be shared more widely than intended and criticism that Facebook was “eroding the online privacy of its users by stealth”. Privacy campaigners said users should have been given a choice as to whether to participate.
Facebook admitted it “should have been more clear” about the system and is now running adverts on all user profile that “help people to learn about the feature and how they can control it”.
The ads, which Facebook said have been displayed more than 2.7 billion times, invite users to adjust their privacy settings.
George Jepsen, the attorney general of Connecticut, who was among the most vocal critics of Tag Suggestions, said on Tuesday he was satisfied by Facebook’s response.
“Facebook has made significant changes that will provide better service and greater privacy protection to its users,” he said.
“For any users who opt out, any facial recognition data collected will be deleted.”
The privacy controversy over facial recognition was just the latest to hit Facebook. The firm has an established pattern of implementing new features that push users to expose more personal data, and then making adjustments in response to criticism.
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