Last month Valleywag reported that Facebook employees are allowed to see all members’ profile, even if set as private, through a super-user access, which already raises some privacy questions. Apparently the social network has now taken its loose privacy policy one step further.
A poster on the AR-15 Forums, a firearms-enthusiasts website, says her bosses asked Facebook for permission to see her profile – which was set to private – needless to say Facebook docilely complied.
Facebook privacy policy clearly states that they might share your profile if asked by law enforcement or a private litigant armed with a court order.
We may be required to disclose user information pursuant to lawful requests, such as subpoenas or court orders, or in compliance with applicable laws. We do not reveal information until we have a good faith belief that an information request by law enforcement or private litigants meets applicable legal standards. Additionally, we may share account or other information when we believe it is necessary to comply with law, to protect our interests or property, to prevent fraud or other illegal activity perpetrated through the Facebook service or using the Facebook name, or to prevent imminent bodily harm. This may include sharing information with other companies, lawyers, agents or government agencies.
Now from what I’ve heard this woman’s boss had no court order or any real reasons to ask for access to his employee’s profile. Said profile apparently contained some photos of the woman holding firearm, which she legally detained and acquired during her own time.
This really is worrying. Facebook clearly wanted to avoid lawsuits or any legal problem which may ensue but I feel this is hardly good for its “interests or property”. Such a Chinese-ish data sharing policy is certainly not something Facebook’s users want to deal with or be worried about.
Tthis is a big hit for the entire social-networks category. Certainly before joining the next hip community I’ll make sure to read its privacy policy carefully and that it will treat its customers data gingerly.
