Regardless that they might be a bit edgy over having lost quite a few users, I think this is a great move - that and the fact that they know they can't afford to mess up again.
John Athayde
· 9 months ago
It doesn't matter what Mark says in public, because the parol evidence rule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parol_evidence_rule) states that the contract is what is in writing and that external factors and statements are not binding. Mark can promise the world to everyone and it is completely irrelevant in a court of law.
If Mr. Zuckerberg and his house counsels were serious about this, they'd write clear, concise terms of service that isn't a contract of adhesion.
Good to know that Facebook users are being heard. Long may that continue...
Deron
· 9 months ago
He can say all he wants now, but it is clear what the TOS said.They also clearly took time to craft those terms and new exactly what they were doing. In the long run, I think the users are better off at least knowing what facebook is thinking and can take the required steps to make sure their content remains theirs. My suggestion is to simply not post anything on facebook.
Amir Watad
· 9 months ago
These guys at FB are evil. Maybe the users won this time, but I have no reason to believe that FB's agenda will change so quickly - They have great power and they can decide how and when to apply which TOS - Most users will chose to stay.
IamJackson
· 9 months ago
Based on previous privacy and account deletion debacles, I think it's safe to say that reverting back to their old ToS doesn't mean that their practices of keeping your data have changed.
Is anyone else of the opinion that these ToS changes are only theoretical and in no way practical?
Adam Ostrow
· 9 months ago
good to hear you all sound very skeptical :-)
Max Kennerly
· 9 months ago
A dramatic improvement, but developers of third-party applications need to ask questions about their own liability. The Statement would appear to make users intended third-party beneficiaries of the statement, which imposes fairly specific requirements on developers / operators. Under California law, users would have the right to sue to enforce those requirements.
Zuckerberg is becoming more popular than me! I hope people will believe him...
Leonid S. Knyshov
· 9 months ago
Rather than commenting here, why not comment in Facebook's dedicated groups? :)
That's what I will be doing once I had a chance to review the proposed documents. They are interesting and it will take a lot less time to read them rather than say ARRA. :)
These documents will become the legally binding agreement, so it is quite important, in my opinion, to ensure that your input is recorded so as to not have the "I wish I read them..." moment after the public comment period closes at the end of March 2009.
Darren Tan
· 9 months ago
Whatever it is, we as users have be careful with the terms and conditions. Spend some time to read it... :-(
Mike
· 9 months ago
How do they define "data"? Also, they seem to be interested in setting up a federal government style rule and comment regime. Ultimately, like governmental agencies most of the time, they will make the decisions about matters that affect their business plan, they will "permit" dissent and "voting" in areas that do not truly matter to them.
Sean Ansari
· 9 months ago
This is now the hottest topic that is being discusses among the webmaster community. Anyways facebook has taken a right decision now..
Phil Butler
· 9 months ago
Now that we have that settled :) Can someone explain how Facebook is going to stay afloat after their half billion dollars runs out? Great article Adam, just prodding man.
Always, Phil Butler
Faye Brown
· 8 months ago
I would like to report that I am new to Facebook and notice that my high school is not listed:
It is Como High School, graduated in 1966. The year is posted but not my name of the high school. Can something be done about this? I would like to connect to my high school classmates if possible through Facebook. Please email me. Thanks!
All Comments
If Mr. Zuckerberg and his house counsels were serious about this, they'd write clear, concise terms of service that isn't a contract of adhesion.
I've written extensively about both these points here: http://boboroshi.com/2009/2/17/the-debacle-over...
Is anyone else of the opinion that these ToS changes are only theoretical and in no way practical?
If you're curious about more, here's my post (from a legal angle) on the new terms:
http://www.litigationandtrial.com/2009/02/artic...
http://www.blippitt.com/we-are-facebook-resista...
That's what I will be doing once I had a chance to review the proposed documents. They are interesting and it will take a lot less time to read them rather than say ARRA. :)
These documents will become the legally binding agreement, so it is quite important, in my opinion, to ensure that your input is recorded so as to not have the "I wish I read them..." moment after the public comment period closes at the end of March 2009.
Always,
Phil Butler
It is Como High School, graduated in 1966. The year is posted but not my name of the high school. Can something be done about this? I would like to connect to my high school classmates if possible through Facebook. Please email me. Thanks!