After consummate protest and negative feedback from users, Facebook has returned to its previous privacy policy. As the largest social networking site in the world with over 175 million users, Facebook recently amended its privacy policies and claimed the rights to all pictures, messages and information posted on the site. The notice gave Facebook an “irrevocable, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license” to “use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising.” The social networking site even claimed rights to items posted by people who had deleted their accounts.

Soon after the announcement, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and others faced strong rebuttal from many users and returned to its previous privacy policy.

Another privacy issue surfacing the social networking site is the process for users to delete accounts. Previously, users were only able to “deactivate” their accounts which prevented all others from viewing their webpage. However, many “deactivated” accounts were still found on the Facebook servers. Many former users were frustrated with this glitch and requested that Facebook permanently delete their accounts. For example, some college graduates who had moved into the workforce and were searching for jobs wanted to be sure that criminalizing pictures and information from their college days would not hamper their potential future. As of Feb. 29, users can contact the Web site and request a permanent deletion of their account.

Facebook does have many privacy settings that enable users to limit and control who can see what on their profiles. For example, users have the capability of preventing some other users from seeing pictures, videos and other items posted on the site. However, many of the sites users do not know how to utilize these privacy settings to their advantage. Facebook Chief Privacy Officer Chris Kelly stated that Facebook is working toward creating a “privacy wizard” tool to assist users and make the process of privatizing their webpage simpler.