[New-Poetry] Fw: Victory! Big step for Facebook privacy!

Sat Dec 8 16:27:20 EST 2007

It might be of interest here:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Adam Green, MoveOn.org Civic Action 
To: Anny Ballardini 
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:49 PM
Subject: Victory! Big step for Facebook privacy!

            Big news! Facebook will no longer make private purchases on other sites public on Facebook without explicit permission!

            Can you send Facebook a thank you email today? Email privacy at facebook.com, then click here to help us track our progress.

            Email Facebook, then click here

                  The Washington Post summed up the issue well.

                  Click here to read the article 

Dear MoveOn member,

Big news! In response to our campaign, Facebook changed their policy and announced that no private purchases made on other websites will be displayed publicly on Facebook "without users proactively consenting."1 They'll also give users a new option to permanently say no to this feature.2

This is a huge victory for online privacy-and shows how regular people can band together to make a difference as the rules of the Internet get written.

Facebook deserves credit for taking a huge step in the right direction. Their decision will hopefully set a precedent for all websites-that the wish lists of corporate advertisers must not be put before the basic rights of Internet users.

When sites like Facebook listen to Internet users and take big steps in the right direction, a little positive feedback goes a long way in encouraging them to keep it up. Can you send an email thanking Facebook today?

Email Facebook here:
privacy at facebook.com

Help us track our progress-let us know you emailed Facebook here:
http://civ.moveon.org/call?cp_id=646&tg=463&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=4

The Washington Post, New York Times, and media outlets around the world cited the thousands of Internet users who joined MoveOn's Facebook group and online petition as critical in getting Facebook to reconsider their policy. The New York Times called it a "mass protest" and London's Telegraph newspaper said we achieved "dramatic change."3

Here are a couple of the many comments posted on our Facebook page dedicated to this issue:

  a.. "This is a pretty powerful feeling. Honestly, I didn't think that people could make changes like this through civil action. I am very proud to be a part of this!"-Sean L. from Massachusetts, whose personal story about Facebook privacy was recently featured in the Washington Post.
  b.. "SUCCESS! Congratulations everyone! Don't know about you guys, but I feel much better about using Facebook now."-David G. from New York4
Taking a moment to give Facebook positive feedback will let them know they made the right decision, and will encourage them to keep listening to Internet users when making future decisions.

Thanks for all you do-and for being part of this important fight.

-Adam G., Daniel, Marika, Eli, Wes, Karin, and the MoveOn.org Civic Action Team
  Saturday, December 8th, 2007

P.S. Here is an excerpt and link to a great Washington Post article-more articles are below. 
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3217&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=5 

Sources:

1. "Facebook adds safeguards on purchase data," Los Angeles Times, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3218&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=6

2. "Thoughts on Beacon," Blog post by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, December 5, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3252&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=7

3. "Facebook founder apologizes, offers more control over Beacon marketing tool," Associated Press, December 5, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3253&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=8

"Apologetic, Facebook Changes Ad Program," New York Times, December 6, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3255&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=9

"Feeling Betrayed, Facebook Users Force Site to Honor Their Privacy," Washington Post, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3217&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=10

"Facebook Retreats on Online Tracking," New York Times, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3219&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=11

"Facebook bows to user pressure in privacy row," The Telegraph, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3220&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=12

"Protests force Facebook to change," BBC News, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3221&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=13

"Facebook Promises More Consumer Privacy," Associated Press, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3222&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=14

"Facebook Dims the Beacon Spotlight," Business Week, November 30, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3224&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=15

4. Facebook group, "Facebook, stop invading my privacy!"
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3226&id=11768-1585870-RPzGzW&t=16

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