In today’s Quick Hits, we talk about Facebook security, why Google is being investigated by the House of Representatives, and good news for the children’s social networking website Togetherville.

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Facebook to Add HTTPS Encryption for Mobile and Apps

Facebook, which has already taken steps to improve security on its main website through HTTPS encryption, is now moving to add similar safeguards for mobile devices and all Facebook apps. Not all third-party developers are prepared to switch to HTTPS, so the process will take a bit of time, but ultimately it will provide stronger protection against scammers for Facebook users.

House to Hold Hearings on Google Social Security Number Solicitation

We knew there would be trouble after Google requested the last four digits of children’s social security numbers for its Doodle 4 Google contest, and it looks like the government already has plans to investigate the issue. According to PCMag, the bi-partisan House Privacy Caucus has agreed to conduct a hearing at the request of Consumer Watchdog, a consumer advocacy group focused on privacy issues. Whatever the results of the hearing, Google’s so-so reputation on privacy issues continues to be on display.

Bing Enhances Search to Show Facebook ‘Likes’

In an effort to offer a more personalized search experience, Microsoft has “deepened Bing’s integration with Facebook to the point where users of the search engine will see their friends’ ‘likes’ among search results.” According to InformationWeek, Bing’s frequent social tweaks may be helping the search engine gain valuable market share against Google. However, Google is also developing more sophisticated social search technology, albeit less focused on Facebook since the two are becoming more intensely competitive.

Disney Acquires Kids Social Networking Website Togetherville

The Walt Disney Company has acquired the kids only social networking website Togetherville. Togetherville, which was only launched in May of last year, was unique among websites for children in that it focused on a “real name culture” similar to Facebook. Other kid-friendly social networking websites tend to use avatars and treat identity abstractly. Togetherville is also unique for its integration with Facebook and how it allows parents to maintain a high level of involvement and control over their child’s social networking experience.

Police Seeking Arrests for Facebook Page Talking About High School Sex Lives

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “state police said Thursday they expect to arrest in the next week the people responsible for creating a Facebook page that made claims about the sex lives of girls in Beaver County.” The page, distastefully titled “Beaver Hoez,” “included images of 25 girls, most of them high school-age but some as young as 13, that were lifted from the victims’ Facebook pages and posted with fake biographies that included sexually explicit descriptions.” Police will likely charge the creator of the page with misdemeanor harassment.