We all use Facebook, whether it’s on our desktops, laptops, or smartphones-- Facebook is with us where ever we go and always accessible. So any change or variation in the use or interface of the social networking site is obviously going to be directly proportional to our concerns. But when we talk about concerns, perhaps the foremost concern is that users are not informed before the site brings about a change in its privacy settings. By the time a slightly haggard user actually figures out something is wrong, usually thanks to the influx of friends or acquaintances suddenly commenting and posting on otherwise restricted content, the damage has been done. All sorts of otherwise private content has already become public, and that too is rectified only after grappling with and trying to figure out how to adjust the new privacy settings.
Well, we are informed they say. Once you sign on to use Facebook, the site’s policies are there for the reading. What those who are pro-Facebook initiatives neglect is that whenever change in settings actually occurs, it is not brought to the attention of users. Yes, shifts to Timeline and new FB interfaces are introduced, but the fine print on policy is even more technical and difficult to read than tax returns a recent survey concluded. Sounds strange coming from a site where the goal is to make avenues of social communication easier for all. No wonder concerns are ripe when it comes to sudden changes and disregard in customized settings that users prefer to work with.
A second concern is that the site seems to be getting more and more susceptible to hacking. A widespread spamming attack that involved pornographic images back in November 2011 is just one example of how illicit content reached the website and had many users distressed as to the platform’s credibility. One of the reasons that Facebook has gained (and retained) so much fame throughout all this time is due to its ability to host games and other intriguing applications on the site itself.
The down side of this is that by giving such leeway to third party developers, the site has opened itself up to the possibility of further hacking and security breaches. Those consequences are just now beginning to register. What is irking users on a monumental scale is that Facebook does not seem to be taking the actions necessary (such as checking credentials of programmers for one) to stop this or cut down the possibility of hacking. The site is more focused on its own convenience rather than user convenience.
A final concern can be described as a fear of having Facebook become nothing but a platform for advertising and never ending spamming. The new ‘subscribe’ feature and the somewhat old feature of ‘liking’ a post, seems to be reminiscent of a popularity contest. With subscribing, Facebook has opened its doors to spambots and ‘how to get more subscriber’ schemes. Allowing widgets onto the site has also boosted what we may call ‘spammy’ apps for mobile phone users.,
It seems the entirety of user concerns center around privacy, and as an extension, to security. Whichever way you may be looking at it, anyone who is on FB is basically putting up personal information to the public, but that too with an expectation. The expectation is that the information will be guarded, protected, and not be used in any way that brings harm to the individual. In short, transparency is needed to overcome all concerns, regarding whatever they may be.
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