In today’s Quick Hits, Facebook accidentally annoys its users, more thoughts on why doctors and social media don’t mix, and Google’s position on a Do Not Track tool for its Chrome browser.

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Facebook Accidentally Turns on E-Mail Notifications

According to Mashable, Facebook accidentally switched on e-mail notifications for users who had turned them off, leading to widespread complaints from Facebook users. The notifications are sent when a user gets a friend request, receives a wall post, and during other common Facebook activities. Facebook is currently working on the issue.

Doctors and Social Media Not Always a Good Mix

This op-ed in the Boston Globe discusses the case of a Rhode Island doctor who was reprimanded for unintentionally revealing the identity of a patient on Facebook. In the article, the author discusses the dangers inherent to social media use, and how they are especially acute for doctors and other healthcare specialists. Talking about patients online is a particularly sensitive issue.

Social Media Users Don’t Talk About Sex or Salaries

According to a survey commissioned by the anonymous company review website Glassdoor.com, “more than three out of four participate in a social network site,” but most users tend to share broad information. When it comes to taboo topics, such as sex or salary, social media users stick to cultural norms and keep quiet. According to the survey, ”only two percent [of respondents] said they were comfortable sharing information about their sex life or their salary.”

Google Rejects Do Not Track for Chrome

This article from Wired, republished in CNN, discusses how Google’s Chrome browser is the only major browser left that has yet to announce plans for a “Do Not Track” function that disables tracking by online advertisers. According to a Google spokesperson, “The idea of ‘Do Not Track’ is interesting, but there doesn’t seem to be wide consensus on what ‘tracking’ really means, nor on how new proposals could be implemented in a way that respects people’s current privacy controls.” So, Google instead offers something called “Keep My Opt-Outs,” which “prevents users from deleting opt-out cookies from advertising networks when they delete their cookies.”

Larry Magid on Facebook Safety Enhancements

In an article for the San Jose Mercury News, tech safety expert Larry Magid discusses Facebook’s new safety center and the steps the company has taken to better serve children, parents, teachers, and law enforcement officers.