An international survey of 605 Facebook users reveals 93.2% would prefer to opt-in to information sharing services on the social networking platform.
The poll, conducted by Sophos in response to Facebook's latest changes to its privacy policy settings, posed the question: 'Would you have liked Facebook to have required you to opt-in to sharing, rather than opt-out?'
“Facebook recently simplified its privacy settings, but the network's attitude to data privacy continues to attract criticism as it makes changes to the level of control afforded to regular users,” says Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos SA.
He argues Facebook's privacy decisions are driven more by economics than the safety of its users. “Facebook has responded to user pressure and made it simpler to control what information you share, and with whom.”
But he adds Facebook has missed an opportunity to address the real issue, and regain the trust of those concerned that Facebook doesn't take privacy and the safety of its users seriously enough.
“The majority of users favour default settings that do not automatically share information,” explains Myroff.
“With almost half a billion users, it's time Facebook took responsibility for its ever-expanding network, and took the best interests of its members seriously,” Myroff concludes.
Share
