Facebook Proposes Eliminating User Voting System for Privacy Changes

Facebook today announced plans to eliminate its voting system that gave users a say in how their privacy is handled.

In a statement issued Wednesday 21st November, Elliot Schrage, Vice President, Communications, Public Policy and Marketing for the Menlo Park, Calif.-based social media company, said the voting system set in place in 2009 hasn't worked as well as planned. It allowed users to publicly post comments on proposed changes to Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (SSR) and Terms of Use. If the site received 7,000 comments, users could then vote on alternatives -- provided at least 30 percent of all active users participate. The site currently has 1 billion users.

Schrage said the system initially worked well but as of late had become a mere numbers game.

"In the past, your substantive feedback has led to changes to the proposals we made. However, 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," he wrote. "Therefore, we’re proposing to end the voting component of the process in favor of a system that leads to more meaningful feedback and engagement."The company plans to keep its seven-day comment period open and hold a Q&A with its Chief Privacy Officer, but it did not say how privacy decisions would be made once the voting system is eliminated.

"We will also provide additional notification mechanisms, including email, for informing you of those changes," Schrage said.

Other proposed updates include:

• setting up new filters to manage incoming messages
• making sure people understand where "hidden" posts may still appear (like others' timelines or news feeds)
• providing tips for deleting posts, activity logs and others' posts where you're tagged.

Courtesy by Anne Saita

Google Sheds Light on New Android App Scanner

Google has divulged more information about its forthcoming application verifier for the Android operating system. The feature is being rolled out over the air alongside the latest build of the OS, Jelly Bean 4.2, on Nexus 7 and Galaxy Nexus devices as of yesterday.

While it can be disabled, the app verifier feature is turned on by default according to a new description from Google/Nexus that describes the process as follows:

If users attempt to download and install an unsafe app, they’ll see one of two notifications warning them the app is either potentially dangerous – recommending they cancel installation - or informing them the app is dangerous – blocking installation.

The description mentions that by allowing Google to verify your applications, the company will receive information from your phone including URLs related to the app along with general information about the device, including its ID, the current build of the operating system, IP addresses and cookies.

Users can reach the new verifier, which analyzes apps from all app stores, even those not found in Google’s Play store, by clicking Settings > Security > Verify apps.

Users wishing to sideload apps from third-party app stores without Google analzying them will simply need to turn off the service.

Google announced the verifier, along with other security plans for 4.2 late last month but it wasn’t until yesterday that one of the company’s Android developers, Michael Morrissey, highlighted an expanded description of the service in a post on Google+.

It still appears unclear if or how Google’s acquisition of VirusTotal earlier this fall, feeds into Android’s new app verifier. Despite being obtained in September, the online virus scanning company claimed it would continue to operate independently.

 Courtesy by Christopher Brook

Have We Learnt to ……?

Have we learnt to smile amidst tears?

Have we learnt to overcome our fears?

Have we learnt to walk on an edge?

Have we learnt to forget old grudge?

Have we learnt to find difference in brick and stone?

Have we learnt to sit on a horny throne?

Have we learnt to fight against injustice?

Have we learnt to shun ill will and malice?

Have we learnt to help each other?

Have we learnt to be together?

Have we learnt to gaze thru those deceitful eyes?

Have we learnt to perceive those cunning smiles?

Have we learnt to listen to a good advice?

Have we learnt before speaking to think twice?

Have we learnt before live alone and separate?

Have we learnt to love and hate?

Have we learnt to pray longer, harder?

Have we learnt to make our faith stronger?

Courtesy by Shalini Jalali Koul