Facebook’s New Privacy Protection Features Will Ask You to Review Data Being Shared

Earlier this month, reports suggested that Facebook would not be adding Europe’s stringent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy protection features to accounts outside of the EU. However, CEO Mark Zuckerberg soonclarifiedthat Facebook“intend(s) to make all the same controls available everywhere, not just in Europe.”

Zuckerberg later added that the rules might not be implemented exactly as in the EU, saying the company was still trying to figure out how to alter the regulations for markets around the world. Now, in an officialblog post, the company has announced new privacy protection features for all users, based on the new privacy laws.

In the blog post, Erin Egan, Facebook’s VP and Chief Privacy Officer, Policy and Ashlie Beringer, Facebook’s VP and Deputy General Counsel, wrote:

“In recent weeks we’ve announced several steps to give people more control over their privacy and explain how we use data. Today we’re introducing new privacy experiences for everyone on Facebook as part of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including updates to our terms and data policy. Everyone – no matter where they live – will be asked to review important information about how Facebook uses data and make choices about their privacy on Facebook.”

As part of the new privacy protection features,Facebookwill now ask users to check the data being shared with Facebook and explain how the data is being used by the company. Users will now have the option to make choices about the following features on the platform:

Along with these changes,Facebookis also introducing new tools. The company announced the newSettings and Privacy Shortcuts features last monthand will start rolling them out this week. The new tools will allow people to see their data, delete it, and easily download or export it. While the new tools will be available globally, they’ve also been designed to comply with GDPR. The Activity Log feature on mobile has also been updated, making it easier for users to see the information they’ve shared with Facebook.

The new review requests will start popping up for users in the EU this week, ahead of the GDPR coming into effect on May 25. The review requests will then roll out in phases to users in the rest of the world and will be customized according to their region and jurisdiction.

Pranob Mehrotra

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