Description: Viral rumor / Hoax
Circulating since: Feb. 2013
Status: False (see details below)
Example #1:
As posted on Facebook, March 9, 2013:
Just so everyone on my friends list knows that I completed this and I am done! Facebook has changed their privacy settings once more!! Due to the new "graph app" anyone on facebook (including other countries ) can see your pictures, likes & comments. The next 2 weeks I will be posting this, and please once you have done it please post DONE!!! Those of you who do not keep my information from going... out to the public, I will have to DELETE YOU! I want to stay PRIVATELY connected with you. I post shots of family that I don't want strangers to have access to! This happens when friends click "like" or "comment"....automatically, their friends would see our posts, too. Unfortunately, we cannot change this setting by ourselves because Faceboook configured it that way. PLEASE place your mouse over my name above (DO NOT CLICK), a window will appear,now move the mouse on "FRIENDS" (also without clicking), then down to "settings", click here and a list will appear. REMOVE the CHECK on "LIFE EVENTS and "COMMENTS & LIKES". By doing this, my activity among my friends and family will no longer become public. Now, copy & paste this on your wall. Once i see this posted on your page, I will do the same. Thank You
Example #2:
As posted on Facebook, Feb. 28. 2013:
FACEBOOK HAS CHANGED THEIR PRIVACY SETTINGS ONCE MORE!!! DUE TO THE NEW “GRAPH APP” ANYONE ON FACEBOOK (INCLUDING OTHER COUNTRIES) CAN SEE YOUR PICTURES, LIKES, AND COMMENTS. The next 2 weeks I will be posting this, and please once you have done it please post DONE! Those of you who do not keep my information from going out to the public, I will have to DELETE YOU! I want to stay PRIVATELY connected with you. I post shots of my family that I don't want strangers to have access to!!! This happens when our friends click "like" or "comment"... automatically, their friends would see our posts too. Unfortunately, we cannot change this setting by ourselves because Facebook has configured it that way. PLEASE place your mouse over my name above (DO NOT CLICK), a window will appear, now move the mouse on “FRIENDS" (also without clicking), then down to "Settings", click here and a list will appear. REMOVE the CHECK on "LIFE EVENTS" and "COMMENTS & LIKES". By doing this, my activity among my friends and family will no longer become public. Now, copy and paste this on your wall. Once I see this posted on your page, I will do the same
Analysis: This is an old viral alert (circulating since 2011) with a tacked-on reference to Facebook's new Graph Search function. It's largely inaccurate and gives incorrect advice on adjusting privacy settings.
Contrary to what's claimed, Graph Search won't make any of your Facebook content or other activities visible to strangers unless they're already visible to the general public per your own privacy settings. It simply gives members another way to find your stuff.
For example, if your current privacy settings only allow friends to view photos and status updates, Graph Search won't change that — only friends will be able to see your content, including in search results. However, if your current settings allow your content to be viewed by everyone, then everyone, friends and non-friends alike, will be able to see it in Graph Search results. That's pretty straightforward.
Tagging complicates matters somewhat. If someone tags you in a photo, comment, or status update, the visibility of the tagged material is governed by the privacy settings of the person who posted it. In those cases you have the option of 1) deleting the tag yourself, or 2) asking the member who tagged you to adjust their overall settings to make their posts more private.
Whatever you do, don't rely on the instructions given in the viral alert, which are laughably wrong and misleading. All you'll accomplish is blocking some of your friends' updates from appearing on your timeline (or yours on theirs). It will not prevent your (or their) content from appearing in Graph Search or being otherwise visible to the public at large.
If you do want to change your privacy settings (or are unsure what your current settings are) follow these instructions from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
More Facebook rumors:
• Facebook to Charge a Monthly Fee?
• Facebook Copyright Notice
• Facebook Jail
• 'Invitation Facebook' Virus Warning
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Sources and further reading:
Facebook 'Graph App' Status Is False
WCSH-TV News, 8 March 2013Facebook Graph Search Didn’t Break Your Privacy Settings, It Only Feels Like That
TechCrunch.com, 4 February 2013What Facebook's New Graph Search Means for Your Privacy
Mashable.com, 15 January 20133 Privacy Settings to Tweak Before Facebook Graph Search Rolls Out
NBCNews.com, Feb. 2013How to Protect Your Privacy from Facebook's Graph Search
EFF.org, 18 January 2013
Last updated 03/12/13
