Less than half of Facebook, Google users understand sites' privacy policies
Posted in: Legal, Privacy & Security at 05/05/2012 19:50
[IDG] Most users of Facebook and Google had fundamental gaps in understanding, even after reading privacy policies, about how the websites handled their information and how other Web users could discover it, according to a study released by the digital branding firm Siegel+Gale.
Users understood the privacy policies less well than they did government documents or bank card agreements, the study said. They earned comprehension scores between 35 and 40 out of 100 for both policies. The survey asked just over 400 people to read the companies' policies and then answer questions about them online.
www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226903/Less_than_half_of_Facebook_Google_users_understand_sites_privacy_policies
www.computerworld.com.au/article/423723/fewer_than_half_facebook_google_users_understood_sites_privacy_policies/
Also see:
Millions of Americans ignore Facebook's privacy controls
As Facebook barrels toward its IPO, one of its biggest lightening-rod issues -- privacy -- is drawing a fresh spotlight. A Consumer Reports study released this week estimates that 13 million American Facebook users have never set or simply don't know about the site's privacy controls.
While some people overshare, others are taking steps to camouflage themselves. A quarter of those Consumer Reports surveyed said they falsified information in their profiles to protect their identity -- up from 10% two years ago.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/03/technology/facebook-privacy-controls/index.htm
