Facebook has not always had the best reputation, when it comes to the privacy of users. But it seems to be changing its ways, at least on the surface, in the face of the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This may have something to do with the potentially large fines that can be imposed on companies that do not comply with GDPR.
The maximum possible fine for non-compliance is 20 million Euros, or 4% of annual turnover, whichever is larger. For a company as large, and successful, as Facebook this size of fine could be a major headache.
New Global Privacy Hub
One of the new initiatives that Facebook has announced is the creation of a global privacy hub where users can update privacy settings, and control how information is used. Most users do not really understand very much about what they can do, from a privacy point of view. This is why Facebook has promised to show instructional videos on news feeds.
Privacy Principles of Facebook
Another action that Facebook has recently taken is to reveal its privacy principles, which few people seem to have been aware of. Some of these principles include:
- Giving users control of their privacy. Enabling people to control what information is displayed on Facebook, and who can see it.
- Helping users understand how personal data is used, including the use of ad controls.
- Developing products with data security in mind right from the beginning.
- Working hard to ensure that all personal data is protected and using systems to make this happen.
- Ensuring that users have full control over what is displayed.
It seems that the introduction of GDPR has forced Facebook to consider it’s responsibilities. The company now seems very keen to show the world how seriously it takes privacy and security.