Facebook report
December 21, 2011
Ireland's Office of Data Protection (DPC) published on Wednesday what it called its most comprehensive audit ever of Facebook's data protection policies. Though the social network is an American company, its international headquarters, Facebook Ireland (FB-I), is responsible for users outside the United States and Canada.
"The audit has found a positive approach and commitment on the part of FB-I to respecting the privacy rights of its users," Irish Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said in a statement. "FB-I has agreed to a wide range of 'best practice' improvements to be implemented over the next 6 months, with a formal review of progress to take place in July of next year."
After the three-month audit, regulators called on Facebook to update its privacy policy, to provide users a faster way to delete data from the social network, to make its advertising practices more transparent, and to notify users of its use of facial recognition programs.
Room for improvement
In a response posted on its public policy page, Facebook said the report shows its compliance with Irish and European privacy regulations and points out "several opportunities to strengthen our existing practices."
"We work on a daily basis with regulators around the world, and we appreciate the investment of time and effort by the [Irish Data Protection Office] and its leadership to improve the experience of Facebook users," the company said.
The company also committed itself to change a number of policies related to data collection and retention and to work with Irish regulators to improve information given to users regarding how they can control their personal data.
Irish regulators said the 149-page report represented the "first significant step" on the road to meeting users' privacy expectations on how their personal data is handled by the social network.
For its part, Facebook agreed in its statement that the pace with which new features are presented requires it to be in continual dialogue with regulators.
Author: Sean Sinico
Editor: Kate Bowen