Facebook is Using Your Face in Their Ads

Friday, July 24, 2009

Did you know that Facebook has agreed to let 3rd party advertisers use your posted pictures without your permission? I bet you didn’t know you signed up for that!

I know, I know. Facebook is not the bad guy here because all of this is clearly stated in their privacy policy, but really people, who actually brews a nice, hot cup of tea, turns on their favorite tunes and reads a privacy policy from end to end? I don’t even look at website agreements before I register. You know what I mean; it’s all about finding the “I agree” checkbox as quickly as possible. I just want to use the service, never mind that I am possible signing my life away.

Facebook doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to privacy and they haven’t always properly guarded the privacy rights of its users. However, in a statement last week, a Facebook representative said "Facebook's industry-leading privacy protections do an outstanding job of empowering users to make their own choices about sharing information on a complex and ever-changing Internet. Nonetheless, if there are suggestions for improvements, we are sure that we will continue what has so far been a productive dialogue"

Earlier this year, an online revolt among Facebook users over the question of who owns content posted to the website forced Facebook to withdraw a new "terms of service" document that raised concerns among users. I guess that’s a form of dialogue…

If all of this is not cool with you, take two minutes to keep your photos of Facebook from becoming clip art, stock photos and the potential face of a brand that you do not support.

Protect your privacy:
  1. Click on SETTINGS up where you see the log out link.
  2. Select PRIVACY – Manage.
  3. Select NEWS FEEDS AND WALL.
  4. Select the tab that reads FACEBOOK ADS.
  5. There is a drop down box, select NO ONE.
  6. SAVE your changes.
  7. PASS this post along!

11 comments

Mark Van Mors said...

Thanks for the tip and curse those slimy Facebook lawyers to hell!

July 24, 2009 at 11:47 AM
QueenNomad said...

This is Digg-worthy!

July 24, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Anonymous said...

Does that mean that they may use pictures of me nude and plaster them across the net!??!?!? AWESOME!

July 24, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Anonymous said...

Thanks for this Vince.

July 25, 2009 at 8:44 PM
hanum said...

I couldn't open my facebook inbox and I was given a warning message from FB Team. What's going on? Do you know? :( Thank's

December 23, 2009 at 11:16 PM
Anonymous said...
social media said...

I can't believe that this can really happen. I am sure that there are lots of facebook users don't know this truth. I should share this post to all my friends. They will be so surprised in this for sure.

April 19, 2011 at 1:49 AM
Socialish said...

Wow, just wow!

http://www.socialish.net/

April 13, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Amy @ Brosix said...

Facebook has undergone so many changes since this post, but yes, the principle about needing to be on top of our Facebook privacy settings is still a very real need. Thanks for this reminder! :)

January 26, 2015 at 7:50 PM

What you're saying is completely true. I know that everybody must say the same thing, but I just think that you put it in a way that everyone can understand. I'm sure you'll reach so many people with what you've got to say.

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