It’s back and it’s filling up our timelines again!
Users around the world started seeing two versions of the good old privacy warnings on their news feeds reposted by friends that warned them to act fast or Facebook will be allowed to infringe on their privacy.
One (spreading since 2012) claims to be a legally-binding text to protect Facebook photos and profile info from copyright infringement:
As of September 28th , 2015 at 10:50p.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 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 If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates.
The other says users can protect their privacy by purchasing a $5.99 month subscription to ensure that all their posts are kept private:
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 (I said paste not share) if not tomorrow, all your posts can become public.
Facebook did address these hoaxes few years ago in a blog post.
This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms, Facebook stated in the post. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been.
