Facebook Settles FTC Privacy Charges

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on November 29, 2011 that Facebook has settled charges that it deceived consumers by making false privacy assurances, and then repeatedly allowing consumer information to be shared and made public.  The settlement serves as a timely reminder that companies must abide by their own statements regarding how personal information is used and shared.

Under the terms of the settlement, Facebook is:

• Barred from making misrepresentations about the privacy or security of consumers' personal information;
• Required to obtain consumers' "affirmative express consent" before enacting changes that override their privacy preferences;
• Required to implement procedures to prevent third parties from accessing users' information no later than 30 days after a user has deleted such information or terminated his or her account;