Facebook privacy hoax resurfaces again

The old Facebook privacy hoax is making its rounds again, false users false hope that a simple status update will lock down their accounts and protect the photos and videos they share.

Facebook Privacy Hoax

The status reads:

“As of (Date/Time). I do NOT give Facebook, or any entities associated with Facebook, permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement I give notice to Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308-11 308-103 and Rome statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish this statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. You MUST copy and paste to make this your status. I will leave a comment so it will be easier to copy and paste!!!”

But here’s the problem. It actually doesn’t do anything and well it’s not true.

Let’s just say if it were true, posting a simple message on your account would not stop anyone from sharing your information. And well if you truly knew Facebook’s privacy policy, they could share your content sometimes, just like most sites you frequent:

“For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it,” the site’s terms read.

What does this mean?

That means Facebook does not own users’ content, but the site does have permission to use any photos, videos or statuses that are posted publicly.

Don’t worry, if you don’t want the public to see your posts or photos/videos, just make it private. There is a privacy setting besides each post.

The hoax dates as far back as November 2012, when Facebook noticed that status becoming so widespread, the social networking site released a statement seeking to clarify.

“There is a rumor circulating that Facebook is making a change related to ownership of users’ information or the content they post to the site. This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been,” the company said at the time.

Users can read the site’s full terms of service, here. If they find something they don’t like, users can lobby for a chance through Facebook’s Site Governance section.

Remember, don’t believe the Facebook privacy hoax. It’s a hoax.