Facebook Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Privacy Changes

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Facebook over the website’s most recent privacy changes. Those changes, which came about in November and December, were touted by Facebook as a way for users to keep their profiles more secure, but were actually aimed at opening up Facebook to more public sharing. Facebook is arguing that they did more than enough to explain how the privacy settings were changing and even offered users a transition tool to assist in the changeover.

This is not the first privacy-related class action lawsuit Facebook has faced. In September 2009, Facebook settled a lawsuit over its terrible Beacon program.

Beta Addition to Microsoft Outlook Provides Social Media Integration

In an effort to be more connected to the social media world, Microsoft is allowing Outlook users to access information from their social networking profiles. With the release of a “beta” test version of the Outlook Social Connector, Outlook users will be able to see information from such websites as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn. I wonder if access to social networks directly from Outlook will help or hurt productivity?

EPIC Files Complaint with FTC Over Google Buzz

Arguing that Google Buzz should be a fully opt-in service, the Electronic Privacy and Information Center (EPIC) has filed a complaint with the FTC against Google. In addition to the EPIC complaint, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has also expressed concern over Buzz. Considering that Buzz has only be active for eight total days, that can’t be a good sign for Google.

Some Microsoft Live Customers Have Private Information Exposed

Nobody knows why or how yet, but according to CNET some Microsoft Live customers were able to access other users’ information. Apparently, the breach occurred only when users were accessing their accounts from mobile devices. Microsoft is investigating the incidences now and will have some more information soon.

Video Chat Service Chatroulette is Definitely Not for Kids

Chatroulette is a new video chat web service that allows instantaneous anonymous video chatting with total strangers from around the world. By logging on, you are randomly connected to a stranger. They can see you and you can see them. If what you see doesn’t look interesting, you can quickly move on to someone new by clicking the next button.

Of course, as Larry Magid at CNET found out, not having control over who you might be chatting with next can lead to some pretty disturbing images. Obviously, this makes the site a big safety concern for parents.