What you’re looking at is a tidy visualisation of what Facebook’s default privacy settings looked like back in 2005. What follows is that same image, recalibrated for 2010. It’s worse than you think.
The problems with Facebook’s attitude towards privacy have been thoroughly documented. But there’s still something about watching the gradual creep of intrusion that drives the point home in a way words can’t. For the full effect, check out the full year-by-year progression from 2005 to 2010 here. [Matt McKeonMatt McKeon via BuzzFeed]
Nicky
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 9:44 AMand all the drones will say “but i don’t have default settings”
StevoTheDevo
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:23 PMI don’t have default settings and as far as I’m aware my FB is locked down tight.
Lifehacker should do a tutorial on how to make sure your info is locked tightly to only people you know of.
Mordd
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:51 PMAnyone using Facebook with default privacy settings is an idiot. Don’t blame the system for the users stupidity, its a classis PICNIC scenario.
Problem in Chair, Not in Computer
Matt
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 10:01 PMWhile having the default setting is not a good idea you can’t say people are stupid for it when Facebook keeps changing what those default values are. The problem is very much that Facebook does not care about peoples privacy and go to great lengths to hide the fact they keep eroding peoples privacy. While people not paying enough attention makes a bad situation worse, it doesn’t change the fact that the intial stituation is due to Facebooks shady practices.
beez
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 4:28 PM*Like* Mordd’s comment. cannot agree more.
Jahn
Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 10:53 PMThe thing with facebook is its taking advantage of it’s members ineptitude and lack of understanding of the internet. This is what is so morally and ethically wrong about Facebook.
The default setting should be the most secure and through some changes you can set how “visible” you are.
They are slowly turning into the Microsoft of today. Cripes MS is looking like a good guy when compared to companies like FB, Apple and News Corp. Anyway, i digress, if FB wants to stop the evolution towards evil they need to flick the switch so all default privacy settings are private. Done.
PantslessGnome
Friday, May 14, 2010 at 7:29 AMI don’t think facebook is ‘morally and ethically wrong’ at all – sounds like a high horse comment if there ever was one. The settings are available, and it is suggested that you review your privacy settings quite clearly immediately upon starting a new account. Too many people are jumping on this ‘hate facebook’ craze without actually reading the T’s and C’s themselves. If you set your settings – you have nothing to worry about. If not – it’s a social networking tool. What good would it be if default settings were private? Defeats the purpose.
In the end, they’re damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.
SocialSpastic
Friday, May 14, 2010 at 12:32 PMI totaly agree with PantslessGnome. Besides, even the most secure sites aren’t. If you don’t want your info out there. Don’t put it out there. The way I rationalize it is simple; despite using resonably secure settings, I “assume” everything I post is accessable by everyone. It’s the risk I take for having a social prescence on the net. It’s a bit like driving a car, it’s nice and convenient getting yourself around in a metal bubble, the risk is you’ll be killed in a horrific car accident. Personally I’m sick of knee jerk reactions like this. It reminds me of objectionable content on the television, if you don’t like it, switch it off.