Privacy Groups Report Facebook

Hopefully they'll settle this before your boss sees your profile: Ten privacy and consumer groups have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against Facebook, claiming the site's recent privacy-setting changes are illegal. Last week, the popular online social network began offering its 350 million members more control over their privacy settings, but default settings would essentially allow anyone to see their profiles. According to a statement released by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, nine groups and EPIC itself are asking the FTC to investigate Facebook's privacy-policy modifications, which they say violate federal consumer-protection law, and require the company to restore its original privacy safeguards. EPIC says Facebook "should not be allowed to turn down the privacy dial on so many American consumers." In response to the claim, a Facebook spokesperson said the company discussed the new program with the FTC before it launched, adding "We're disappointed that EPIC has chosen to share their concerns with the FTC while refusing to talk to us about them."