Privacy International says Facebook vote policy is a "massive confidence trick"
16/04/2009
Privacy International says Facebook vote is a “massive confidence trick”
The global privacy watchdog, Privacy International, today described Facebook’s new vote on a change to its terms and conditions as a publicity stunt and a “massive confidence trick” on its 200 million users.
Facebook has told users that a vote is valid only if thirty percent of users participate. “That would be a hard enough figure to reach even amongst the most active user population, but the company is applying the limit across all “active accounts” which it defines as being an account with any activity in the past thirty days.” responded Privacy International’s Director, Simon Davies.
“While we support the concept of user participation, the idea of establishing a thirty percent participation threshold is a complete joke. It will never be reached, and Facebook knows it. Earlier this year the figure had been set at 25 percent, and it was edged up because of concerns that users might actually succeed in changing the terms and conditions”
“Many people use Facebook as a means of interacting with their friends, and are unlikely to take the time to read various terms and conditions. This certainly applies to users who have only logged in once or twice in the preceding month”.
“Facebook knows well that other sites that have canvassed user votes on, say, site design have reaped only a fifteen to twenty percent vote. This exercise will result in is the creation of millions of aggrieved Facebook users who will feel cheated if the threshold is not reached.”
Privacy International’s senior staff members have promised to eat their shorts if the threshold is ever reached on any vote.
“This is a great idea, ruined by an absurd and illusionary voting process. I understand Facebook is a for-profit company, but national governments don’t impose a threshold on voters, and nor should Facebook” said Mr Davies.
“If this is a genuine attempt to give users control then give them a genuine vote, not a symbolic one Otherwise, stop wasting everyone’s time.”
Ends
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