The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US has given its nod for final settlement with Facebook. The verdict follows a public comment period.
According to the Commission, charges against Facebook have been resolved. It marks an end to three-year old accusations that the social network had let advertisers access its users’ personal data when they were conveyed it was meant to be private.
The Commission shared that it has resolved charges that Facebook “deceived consumers by telling them they could keep their information on Facebook private, and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public”.
For its part, the Menlo Park, California-based social network needs to take certain initiatives going forward.
Facebook has to ensure that it gives “consumers clear and prominent notice and obtain their express consent before sharing their information beyond their privacy settings.”
Facebook would be required to maintain a privacy program to protect its users’ info. It will have to procure biennial privacy audits from an independent third party as well. Such sites focus on explaining how they receive information and how it is used, have to share the privacy settings that help users control their info on the site, and also how advertisements are served.
