If you’re suspicious of Facebook’s use of your personal data, the social networking site has made some recent changes that may make you very happy. And for this, you can blame thank Canada.

Some of the provisions of Facebook’s privacy policy sort of violate current Canadian law, and Facebook has agreed to make changes accordingly. The policies Canada had problems with included:

• Third-Party Data Mining – Applications will need to explain what personal information they will take from your profile, and get specific consent to do so.
• Account Deactivation – Users will be given the choice to deactivate or delete their accounts — the latter isn’t currently an option.
• Non-Users’ Privacy – This probably involves the contact list import feature, and e-mail addresses obtained through it.
• Information in Memorial Accounts – Accounts can be either deactivated or put in “memorial” mode when a user dies. The privacy policies will need to better explain what the site does with the profile information of dead users.

Thanks, Canadian government! Facebook users in the rest of the world appreciate it.

Canada wins Facebook fight [Toronto Star]
Thanks, Canada: Facebook’s 4 Big Privacy Fixes [PC World]

(Photo: avlxyz)

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