Jul. 24, 2009

Posted by in Facebook | 3 comments

Facebook Polling Users About Privacy

I just completed an interesting two-question survey via an official link on Facebook.  The poll first asked to what extent, on a five-point scale from “completely disagree” to “completely agree,” I agreed with this statement: “Facebook cares about its users’ privacy and security.”  Next, Facebook asked if I would describe myself as:

  • Very open – I wouldn’t mind if everyone could see all of the information I share on Facebook
  • In between – I don’t mind if everyone can see some of my information, but certain information I only want to share with my close friends or family
  • Private – I only share things with people I know

The survey came from the Facebook Research Team.  I’m guessing the first question is not only to gauge people’s image of Facebook but a statistic to trumpet if most users answer positively.  (In light of Facebook’s naivete towards Platform privacy and security, I did not.)  The second question is interesting in light of Facebook’s shifts from more controlled/private to more open/public.  And as Bruce Schneier recently discussed in an essay on privacy salience, Facebook probably hopes most users fall into the “very open” category.

I certainly look forward to seeing the results of this survey if they’re released.

  1. How do we get to the survey?

  2. How do I get to the survey? I want my voice to be heard too?

  3. @Ursula: I accessed the survey via a link on my Facebook homepage in place of an ad on the sidebar. I could post a direct link, but I’m guessing Facebook tracks the demographics of those who click the link, so I’d just say watch for an option to take it on your homepage. Not trying to be stingy, I’m just not sure of what method Facebook is using to conduct this survey, and I wouldn’t want to interfere.

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