Facebook Privacy Notice Is Bogus: Why People Shouldn't Be Concerned About New Privacy Settings Policy

Facebook users may have found long-winded posts about copyright in their feed Monday morning, with users trying to protect the intellectual property they put into cyberspace. But efforts to keep Facebook from unlawfully using ideas from its 1 billion users are unnecessary, reports Mashable.

The post began circulating in the days following last week’s privacy guidelines update. The new structure in which Facebook sets policies on how to treat content, information and privacy settings is no longer voted on by the users but by a small group, with users allowed to comment on changes.

“We found that the voting mechanism, which is triggered by a specific number of comments, actually resulted in a system that incentivized the quantity of comments over their quality,” Corporate VP Elliot Schrage said in an official statement about the new privacy setting policies.

“In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc.,” begins the phony declaration. “For commercial use of the above, my written consent is needed at all times!”

The New York Daily News alleges that not only is the post illegitimate, but the "Berner" Convention cited in the text is a reference to the Berne Convention, a 126-year-old international copyright policy.

The post itself makes bold claims that anyone can repost the exact text to keep Facebook from using any of his or her content under the new privacy settings policy. Users believe that becasue they posted this, Facebook won't be allowed to “disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate or take any other action against [the user] on the basis of this profile and/or its contents.”

The post spreading through Facebook news feeds reads:

“In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, graphics, comics, paintings, photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For commercial use of the above, my written consent is needed at all times!

"(Anyone reading this can copy this text and paste it on their Facebook wall. This will place them under protection of copyright laws. By the present communiqué, I notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents and/or any staff under Facebook’s direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punished by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).

"Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or, if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates.”