This afternoon Facebook announced a new set of controls which enable users to “personalize the audience for each piece of content [they] share through applications”. The new controls will be displayed when users are prompted to publish information from within applications. While the new privacy settings do not appear to extend to the applications dashboard, this is a step toward giving users more control over information published by apps.
The new settings function the same as they would for the content publisher. Simply select from the drop-down who you would like to have your content visible to. It gives users complete control of their content on Facebook. Unfortunately there are still remaining privacy issues surrounding applications, as the company has yet to educate all users about the new applications dashboard effectively, but it’s clear the company is moving in the right direction.
Granular privacy settings are a central component of Facebook and giving users control over the information they share is what has attracted more than 400 million users. Users win once they have control over all information they share online. Fortunately for users, Facebook has now granted privacy control to one more channel responsible for new personal content creation.
"Users win once they have control over all information they share online. Fortunately for users, Facebook has now granted privacy control to one more channel responsible for new personal content creation."
I agree, this is a step in the right direction.
Comment by necktie — February 17, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
GREAT… except… When I choose “Customize” from the drop down menu, then select a specific name or list in order to use a list I’ve created, the box isn’t big enough to see everything, including the share button. I can get there by tabbing through… but… it really should be fixed.
Comment by Renee Martin — February 17, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
I'm not convinced it is enough thoug — afaict you can still tell that they used a certain application unless you turn that visibilitiy off completely. Per application controls there would be nice if there were any apps I'd want others to know I'm using.
Comment by Facebook User — February 17, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
new layout, new terms…
Comment by bee — February 18, 2010 @ 6:02 am
This doesn't appear to be working. Can someone test this out?
I posted something from an application and set it to display for only Specific People. In the Specific People list I picked one of my groups (lets say "High School Friends"). So it was only supposed to show up for the people in my High School Friends list, but I called a relative and asked them to check their news feed and sure enough the post was visible to them even though it should not have been visible!
Comment by Jake Troyer — February 19, 2010 @ 9:41 am
It is all about money.. Zynga rips off a ton of users with mobile ads and gets CEO of the year.. it is all about being able to make money to most apps.. no real morals online.. just don't get caught and if you do be funny..
Comment by Gebadia Smith — February 21, 2010 @ 11:48 pm
I just found a whole lot of ghost applications which is still allowed to be viewed by everyone & facebook is not telling the users about. Click your application settings. In the show drop down menu (default is recently used) click Allowed to post (advisable 2 click every option).There is a drop down menu (never allowed to post any stories) Click it. then u will see all your applications is set to everyone(privacy) in Edit ur settings.Second, in the same drop down menu in application settings click Authorized then edit settings(default is everyone) or choose to delete the ghost app by clicking the X. See it for yourselves.
Comment by andro — June 12, 2010 @ 3:38 pm