Email from Facebook: accept new TOS or delete account?
April 24, 2018 6:55 AM Subscribe
I just got notified by Facebook that I need to either accept their new terms of service by May 25 or delete my account. The summary of the changes they are introducing is very vague.
They are "updating Data Policy" and "making it easier for me to control my privacy".
But in view of the recent Facebook scandals, I just cannot shake the feeling that the changes might not be to my advantage. I do not trust myself to understand the small print.
Can someone explain it to me like I am 5 years old? Are they changing anything significant? Is it a good idea to just delete my account? FWiW, I use Facebook mostly for news and activism (this is how I learn about some local events).
But in view of the recent Facebook scandals, I just cannot shake the feeling that the changes might not be to my advantage. I do not trust myself to understand the small print.
Can someone explain it to me like I am 5 years old? Are they changing anything significant? Is it a good idea to just delete my account? FWiW, I use Facebook mostly for news and activism (this is how I learn about some local events).
Best answer: This is related to GDPR. If you're going to make a delete-Facebook decision (which is worth considering), this particular TOS update should not really be the reason why.
posted by brainmouse at 7:01 AM on April 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by brainmouse at 7:01 AM on April 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
Best answer: "Facebook is taking its first steps to comply with Europe’s strict data privacy rules" on Recode.net. The article explains some (all?) of the changes.
posted by lazuli at 7:06 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by lazuli at 7:06 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yup, GDPR. It is affecting a lot of sites. Etsy gave me the heads up about it the other day.
posted by Calzephyr at 7:17 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Calzephyr at 7:17 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you for the reassurance! Deleting Facebook might still be a good idea but at least I know the current update is not something sinister.
Glad to hear the EU is looking out for me.
posted by M. at 8:17 AM on April 24, 2018
Glad to hear the EU is looking out for me.
posted by M. at 8:17 AM on April 24, 2018
Best answer: If you decide to delete your account there may be an advantage to doing it after May 25 because the GDPR deletion options may be more thorough than what is offered now.
posted by unix at 8:29 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by unix at 8:29 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you have not deleted your Facebook account before now, GDPR marks an improvement in Facebook privacy and your rights to your data, as opposed to even more reason to delete.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:35 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 8:35 AM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: If you decide to delete your account there may be an advantage to doing it after May 25 because the GDPR deletion options may be more thorough than what is offered now.
Wow, good to know! Didn't think of that but in retrospect it makes perfect sense.
Thank you.
posted by M. at 9:16 AM on April 24, 2018
Wow, good to know! Didn't think of that but in retrospect it makes perfect sense.
Thank you.
posted by M. at 9:16 AM on April 24, 2018
For another perspective, ZDNet says that Facebook is moving to ensure that users outside the EU won't be protected by the GDPR (by moving our terms of service from its HQ in Ireland), while Techcrunch says that FB is complying with the letter but not the spirit.
posted by Pink Frost at 3:33 PM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Pink Frost at 3:33 PM on April 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 6:59 AM on April 24, 2018 [6 favorites]