Monday, October 20, 2008

European Social Network Privacy



According to reports, "Social networking websites were urged Friday to warn users about the low level of protection given to their profiles at a Council of Europe-organized conference on the issue."

According to European Union Data Protection Authority (Cnil) most social networking sites fail to rightfully advice users when their profiles have minimal privacy protection. According to their recommendation, this would mean that website users should also be adviced of the risks that they could face by going online, and detailed instructions on how to change their protection settings. One of the sites listed in the report was Facebook.

The report states that this request was finalized after a 2-day conference, in which 70 countries stood in agreement of a universal standard on privacy and personal data protection. Among the detailed request, organisers are also considering offering financial rewards to countries, institutions and businesses each year that install the best privacy and personal data protection.

There are constant tragic reports in the United States, daily, that all trace back to personal protection online. Should the United States follow along with these other countries to better serve the America online community? I believe, like the other countries, that perhaps creating more awareness of the problem might be an interesting initiative.

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