If you are an active Facebook user, there are high chances that you stumbled upon a new privacy notice that is doing rounds on the platform currently but there is no reason to worry as the post is a hoax.
This is not the first time that a hoax privacy message has circulated on the platform as there have been messages with a more or less similar format that surfaced in 2012, 2014 and 2015, according to a 2015 report by The Indian Express.
This time, however, there are two such messages that are being circulated on the social networking site, suggesting users to copy and paste the message on their timelines.
Considering the number of hoaxes which have surfaced on the networking site numerous times in the course of its 12 years of existence, it’s rather strange that users ‘blindly’ copied and pasted the message with utmost zeal.
One of the messages read: “From DD/MM/YYYY Indian standard time, I don't give Facebook permission or permission to use my pictures, my information or my publications, both of the past as the future, mine or those where I show up. By this statement, I give my notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, give, sell my information, photos or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and / or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308-1 1 308-103 and the Rome statute).
Note: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version.
If you do not publish a statement at least once, you've given the tacit agreement allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the updates of state of profile. Do not share. You have to copy.”
The second one said: “All your posts can become public tommorow . Even the messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. After all, it does not cost anything for a simple copy and paste
Better safe than sorry is right. Channel 13 News was just talking about this change in Facebook's privacy policy. Better safe than sorry. I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. You MUST copy and paste.”
It is rather strange to expect Facebook to go through individuals posts out of billions of users on its bandwagon and users should be a little more pragmatic while coming across posts like these.
We believe that these messages are often posted by competitors or people who have a general dislike for the company and their policies.
In a reply to the incident, Facebook said in a post: “You may have seen a post telling you to copy and paste a notice to retain control over things you share on Facebook. Don't believe it. You own your content and can control how it is shared through your privacy settings.”
Apart from Facebook’s clarification, numerous users on the platform also showed their disgust and replied hilariously.
Numerous other users, as a sarcastic reply to the hoax, posted: Tonight at 4:12 am, Facebook's drone would be flying over India to see whether everyone has copied and pasted their security concern. You must stand on the rooftop in a red chaddi and wave polka dotted green flag at the plane and do bhangra. After doing this your Facebook will be safe and it won't be open to public. If you dont share this, Mark Zuckerberg will assist the US in making a drone attack on your house. This is for all who are copying and pasting that stupid spam message. Posting a status won't secure your account. Please stop falling for such tricks.”
So next time users come across such posts, it should immediately be reported.
