Millions of users of meta products, added Facebook and Instagram, need to be aware of the company’s updated privacy policies.
Facebook says the changes aim to make it easier to understand how customer information is used. The company has previously faced criticism from regulators and activists for using customer data.
WhatsApp and some other products are not affected by the update.
Meta tells the changes won’t allow it “to collect, use or share your information in new ways.”
However, there are two changes in how users can control how their information is process.
The new setting gives people more control over who can see their default posts. And the existing rules over user-viewable ads are combine into a single interface.
In a blog post, Michel Proti, Meta’s chief privacy director, said that he wanted to “better explain what is expect of us and those who use our platform.”
He said this would include when companies can deactivate or terminate accounts and more details on what happens when funds are delete. Meta says it also provides more details about the types of third parties it shares. And receives information with and how data is share between its products.
Consumers don’t need to take any action in response to policy updates to continue using Meta Products. Still, the company says they can “freely leave our Services” for people who don’t want to accept the changes.
Regulatory Challenge
The changes, which will take on July 26, are an attempt to balance the desire to reduce policy complexity with “greater demands from regulators also broader privacy laws,” according to Meta.
Meta faces increasing scrutiny from regulators over how it processes also protects user data.
In February, the company warned that “regulatory barriers” would likely hinder future growth. Also in March, the company was fine 17 million euros (14.4 million British pounds) for violating EU data protection laws in 2018.