Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe’s Certifications Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Using modern technology for communication, including social networking websites, is impossible without sharing personal information, which is associated with privacy concerns. Nevertheless, in many cases, social media users do not recognize the negative implications of making their information available to others. This finds reflection in the failure to read social networking sites’ privacy policy statements. The purpose of this response is to apply TRUSTe’s policy writing guidelines to analyze the privacy policy of Facebook, Inc.

The organization’s policy deserves positive feedback in terms of readability and incorporates TRUSTe’s advice regarding consumer-friendly statements. Facebook’s privacy policy has been updated in 2018 and 2021 to implement the California Consumer Privacy Act and make other changes (Facebook, 2021; Pardau, 2019). The policy exists in the form of a well-structured web page that instructs the users of Facebook products on the types of collected information, its uses, including complying with legal requests, data sharing, deleting personal information, policy change processes, and California residents’ consumer privacy rights (Facebook, 2021).

The policy is readable and easy to understand for an average English-speaking adult since technology-related terms, for instance, cookies or metadata, are explained and illustrated with examples (Facebook, 2021). The extensive use of lists, including the types of personal information and information about devices that the website obtains, also adds to the resource’s readability (Facebook, 2021). All of this makes the policy consistent with TRUSTe’s guidelines regarding the presence of explanatory notes instead of legalese.

To continue due to content and presentation, the policy makes me comfortable to continue doing business with Facebook. As per the guidelines by TRUSTe (2004), effective privacy statements must have clear notice forms detailing what information is collected and how it is used, instructions regarding how consumers can correct or remove their personal information, and the website’s security precautions, and grievance redress mechanisms. Facebook’s (2021) updated policy explicitly addresses all of these elements; however, accessing detailed information on Facebook security features and risk minimization instructions requires opening the help center link. For some users, this might reduce the document’s convenience, but relevant information on security protection is still easy to access for anyone with minimal computer literacy.

Despite certain lengthiness, different sections of the policy are presented in a way that considers diverse users’ priorities and queries. One thing that is a bit surprising is the attention devoted to explaining things that might be intuitively clear for many consumers. As an example, the section about users’ rights specifies that the decision to delete one’s Facebook account leads to the irreversible removal of status updates, photos, and messages, but information about this account shared by other users cannot be deleted due to not being part of this account (Facebook, 2021). The discussed guidelines emphasize achieving the right balance between short and lengthy statements and listing the most relevant aspects of privacy policies first to observe the principle of relevance (TRUSTe, 2004).

Facebook’s policy is on the lengthier side, but it considers the prioritization rule and proceeds from users’ most common questions to more specific subtopics, such as minors and online safety (Facebook, 2021). Moreover, the web page uses an interactive menu that makes the document easier to navigate and comprehend (Facebook, 2021). This enables users to access information that interests them most of all.

To sum up, Facebook’s current privacy policy observes the majority of TRUSTe’s recommendations, which guarantees users positive impressions. Specifically, the policy delves into all aspects of using customers’ personal data and explains critical terms in plain language, making the text easier to understand for non-professionals. Considering this, the information about privacy and customer protection mechanisms shared by the social network can inspire trust in different users.

References

Facebook. (2021). Data policy. Web.

Pardau, S. L. (2019). The California Consumer Privacy Act: Towards a European-style privacy regime in the United States. Journal of Technology & Policy, 23, 69-100.

TRUSTe. (2004). Your online privacy policy. Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2022, December 12). Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe's Certifications. https://ivypanda.com/essays/facebook-privacy-policy-and-trustes-certifications/

Work Cited

"Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe's Certifications." IvyPanda, 12 Dec. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/facebook-privacy-policy-and-trustes-certifications/.

References

IvyPanda. (2022) 'Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe's Certifications'. 12 December.

References

IvyPanda. 2022. "Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe's Certifications." December 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/facebook-privacy-policy-and-trustes-certifications/.

1. IvyPanda. "Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe's Certifications." December 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/facebook-privacy-policy-and-trustes-certifications/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Facebook Privacy Policy and TRUSTe's Certifications." December 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/facebook-privacy-policy-and-trustes-certifications/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1