You have probably noticed an increasing number of your Facebook friends sharing long-winded status updates regarding Facebook’s copyright policies – some are even claiming Facebook is going to start charging people to keep their profiles “private.”
But before you copy and paste the text into your own profile – listen up. The status update means nothing.
Your friends have fallen victim to yet another viral Facebook hoax. These posts – usually made up of a bunch of legal jargon, claiming to protect the user from alleged changes to the social network’s copyright policies – serve no purpose.
Every once in a while some sort of variation of these hoaxes goes viral – Global News reported on a similar post back in December. In fact, Facebook first warned users about these types of hoaxes back in 2012.
Two variations appear to be making the rounds this time. One reads:
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- Buzz kill? Gen Z less interested in coffee than older Canadians, survey shows
“Now it’s official! It has been published in the media. Facebook has just released the entry price: $5.99 to keep the subscription of your status to be set to “private”. If you paste this message on your page, it will be offered free (paste not share) if not tomorrow, all your posts can become public. 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.”
Another reads:
“Better safe than sorry is right. Channel 13 News was just talking about this change in Facebook’s privacy policy. Better safe than sorry. As of September 26th , 2015 at 01:16 a.m. Eastern standard time, I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past & 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 & confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 & the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy & paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tacitly allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. You MUST copy & paste.”
Copyright rules are outlined in Facebook’s rules
Here’s why these status updates don’t affect copyright. In its “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities,” Facebook outlines that you own all of the content and information you post to the social network.
According to Facebook, that license only ends when you delete your Facebook page.
Additionally, if you post anything to Facebook’s “Public” network (meaning every user can see it – not just your friends) you are allowing everyone, including people who don’t use Facebook, to access and use that information.
Users can review their privacy settings, including what content is public, through Facebook’s “Privacy Checkup” tool. You can access your privacy settings by clicking on the lock symbol at the top right hand side of your Facebook page.
READ MORE: Facebook encourages users to review settings with ‘privacy checkup’
Don’t be fooled by lines that read, “If you have not published this statement at least once, you will tacitly allow the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile.”
According to experts, these status updates have no legal standing against Facebook’s user agreement.
“Unfortunately taking control of your online identity is not as simple as making a declaration on your Facebook wall. Using any website to store content or personal details requires compliance with the site’s Terms of Service,” wrote Sophos security expert Chester Wisniewski in a blog post.
“These messages are simply another chain letter type hoax pinned upon wishful thinking.”
Additionally, any claims that Facebook is changing its policies – or charging users to keep their profiles private – is entirely made up.
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