Viral "Facebook privacy notice" is a hoax

A sample of the viral Facebook privacy notice that spread around in the spring of 2012.

/ Facebook personal photo

(CBS News) Facebook users may have seen a status update masquerading as a legally-binding privacy notice in their news feeds in the last month.

Those hoping for a little bit of protection for their photos, videos and status updates may be disappointed. There are several versions of the notice - all of them suggesting that by making a declaration, somehow their content is protected. That is simply not true.

The myth-busting site Snopes.com debunked the viral status update on Monday, saying that the disclaimer will not provide privacy protection on Facebook.

Here's a comprehensive sample of the privacy notice posted at Slate:

For those of you who do not understand the reasoning behind this posting, Facebook is now a publicly traded entity. Unless you state otherwise, anyone can infringe on your right to privacy once you post to this site. It is recommended that you and other members post a similar notice as this, or you may copy and paste this version. If you do not post such a statement once, then you are indirectly...allowing public use of items such as your photos and the information contained in your status updates.

PRIVACY NOTICE: Warning - any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/or the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile.

You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee, agent, student or any personnel under your direction or control.

The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Snopes makes two points: Facebook members must agree to the social network's legal terms before they can even create a profile and Facebook's status as a public company does not affect who the site is monitored.

The fact is that Facebook members own the intellectual property (IP) that is uploaded to the social network, but depending on their privacy and applications settings, users grant the social network "a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License)."

Facebook adds, "[t]his IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it."

While the social network does not technically own its members content, it has the right to use anything that is not protected with Facebook's privacy and applications settings. For instance, photos, videos and status updates set to public are fair game.

As far as content rights between Facebook members go, it is against the social network's policy for users to infringe on each other's IP rights.

Follow the links for more information on Facebook's legal terms and privacy.

[KimberlySong]

FB has protected itself by giving users the "option" to have their posts, pics, etc safeguarded by allowing you to "take it off of a public setting"..so those who "choose" not to..are subject to fb or any other entity from doing whatever they want with this information..so those that don't..just DEAL wth the choice you made!!

[micmac666]

I sit on your Facebook.

[parisdakar]

OK, I've done the Facebook thing for a while now. It's just a time waster. And it's slowly become a tool for every company in the world to try to sell you their crap. Also tired of hearing ever boring detail of "frends" empty lives. Deleting my account today. Done with it.

[twmat311]

You don't have to be on FB long before your "news feed" deteriorates (no matter who you "friend") into such a trivial pile of nothing, you'll give up your account. But you will learn how easily people's whereabouts, and the sharing of this info, make them targets for almost anything.

[AOCGUY]

I find it amazing the personal information people chose to post on social networks. I don't care what facebook, twitter, linkedin, etc say - once you post that information it becomes essentially public domain as there is no way to pull it back. You can tell people not to forward, save or use but if you send me unsolicited information then as far as I am concerned it is mine to use as I see fit.

And it is not just "personal" info. I have seen people post criticisms or comments (posted in anger or emotion) that they wish later they could have pulled back. Again folks, once it is there it is in the internet for good. Just keep it up. As an employer I check all those social networks before offering someone a position. If I see something I don't like it's a good chance that individual will not get the job.

[kbbpll]

An employer who decides not to hire someone hased on silly social network posts is just being lazy and stupid. I've worked with a great many socially inept freaks who also happen to be highly technically skilled and irreplaceable.

[InShelle]

AOCGUY: I agree with you. Most people post things that they wish they would have never posted.
KBBPLL: If you had read the latest news reports concerning Facebook, you would know that a lot of employers are using Facebook. Some are even asking for your password. Also, college admissions offices and lawyers during lwsuits.
My advice to anyone who doesnt want your business posted dont post it anywhere on the Internet. My Facebook page is set to private only friends can see me and I only allow people I personally know to be friends with me on Facebook.
I love the fact that employers are allowed to use Facebook as a tool to get into the minds of prospective employees. Many people try to be someone they are not when in an interview however they are totally different in private. I laugh at the men and women who post that they are having an affair yet deny it in court, then get busted on the affair and perjury.
Social media can be a great tool but it also can hnurt you.

[IEDarla]

People never cease to amaze me. They continue to gripe about their privacy and post everything for anyone to see. My theory is: If I wont give you my phone number you cant be one my Facebook page. Pictures are shared with caution and my page is unsearchable by name or e-mail, It is locked down like Fort Knox.

[jackr27]

... And yet, the TOS to which you agreed give Facebook the right to do any bloody thing they might like with whatever you do put into your Fort Knox.

[djseavy]

Some people just can't seem to understand the simple notion that - by posting information and/or photos on a public website is a lot like standing in the middle of the street yelling, then demanding that nobody listen to, or repeat what you said.

[sara2377]

Be more cautious while sharing anything on FB. Once it is up it is for public you hardly have any control over it. So be careful.

- Sara
<a href="http://www.hireamobileappdeveloper.com/" >www.HireaMobileAppDeveloper.com</a>

[MausPotato]

Wow, yea...that's good advice - I feel like a lot of people miss this.

[Void-Master]

Once again for the learning impaired: DON'T POST ONLINE ANYTHING THAT YOU DON'T WANT THE REST OF THE WORLD TO SEE!