Facebook 'missed the mark' on privacy, says founder

WASHINGTON--Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said Monday that the social network "missed the mark" with its privacy controls and will be revealing simpler features in the coming weeks.

"Sometimes we move too fast -- and after listening to recent concerns, we're responding," the Facebook co-founder wrote in a column published on the op-ed page of The Washington Post.

Zuckerberg's remarks are his first public comments since new features added to Facebook last month sparked criticism from US privacy and consumer groups, US lawmakers and the European Union.

The changes, which include the ability for partner websites to incorporate Facebook data, prompted claims that they compromise the privacy of its members.

"The biggest message we have heard recently is that people want easier control over their information," Zuckerberg said. "Simply put, many of you thought our controls were too complex.

"Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark," the 26-year-old Facebook CEO said.

"We have heard the feedback," he added. "There needs to be a simpler way to control your information.

"In the coming weeks, we will add privacy controls that are much simpler to use. We will also give you an easy way to turn off all third-party services," Zuckerberg said.

He also stressed that Facebook does "not share your personal information with people or services you don't want" and does "not give advertisers access to your personal information."

"We do not and never will sell any of your information to anyone," Zuckerberg said, adding that Facebook will always remain a free service.

Zuckerberg's column came a day after he acknowledged in an email exchange with a popular technology blogger, Robert Scoble, that the social network had made "a bunch of mistakes."

Source: Inquirer