Facebook's Settings Don't Quell Critics

Facebook's new privacy controls don't go as far as some critics would like, suggesting the privacy issue will continue to dog the social-networking site.

Privacy advocates called the changes a first step, but said they remain concerned that Facebook doesn't take their concerns seriously. "We've been through this before with Facebook," said Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center. Rather than relying on Facebook to police itself and make changes reactively, he said he wants the site to take "a more comprehensive approach to privacy." In addition, he favors legislation that controls how social-networking sites use members' information, similar to privacy laws for email.

Joseph Dee, a Toronto man who helped create QuitFacebookDay.com, said in a phone interview he still doesn't trust Facebook. His site has gathered nearly 22,500 pledges from members to quit Facebook on Monday, and Dee said he still plans to hit the "delete" button on his account. "It's progress, but the core issue is still the same," Dee said. "They really want to push people to be more public with their information, and we're not ready for that kind of openness yet. I don't think they respect the way the natural world works."