Facebook executives have suggested that the critique comes from a relatively small collection of users and privacy advocates. And they argue that the disaffected will come around when they recog-nize the advantages of an Internet-wide shift toward more information sharing: deeper connections, a more robust on-line experience.
Indeed, some industry-friendly analysts say a Facebook that errs too heavily on the side of privacy will choke off innovation. But the company, battered by the criticism and concerned about growing talk of federal regulation, is making some changes.
As the Phoenix went to press, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was rolling out new, simpler privacy controls. We’ll see if they’re enough to keep Congress at bay — and spare Facebook from the wrath of Jon Stewart.
Related:
Interview: Jesse Eisenberg (''The Social Network''), Interview: Aaron Sorkin (''The Social Network''), Interview: Armie Hammer (''The Social Network''), More 
- Interview: Jesse Eisenberg (''The Social Network'')
Eisenberg's performance suggests he's a genius, and a five-minute conversation does nothing to dispel that impression.
- Interview: Aaron Sorkin (''The Social Network'')
Aaron Sorkin is one dapper guy.
- Interview: Armie Hammer (''The Social Network'')
Armie Hammer looks like a menswear catalog model.
- The year in tech
This year saw some tech wins (public information), some losses (privacy), and many more questions for the future of an increasingly wired world. (Example: Is anything secret anymore?) And there was the appearance of yet another grassroots David, and, as if a warning to future Davids, the epic collapse of a bloated Goliath.
- Why I am leaving Facebook
By the time you read this, I'll already be gone.
- Stop SOPA
The dinosaurs of the entertainment world ( i.e. , Hollywood movie studios and national music companies) have joined with the Business Software Alliance (which represents tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Intel) to sponsor an insidious piece of legislation called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
- FairPoint layoffs were always part of the plan
While FairPoint executives are saying that the 400 layoffs the company announced last week are related to "workload" and "competition," they're hoping everyone forgot that their business model — especially in northern New England — requires regular downsizing to have a prayer at success.
- Is Rhode Island a paywall mecca?
Media analysts say Rhode Island could be especially fertile ground for a declining newspaper industry's primary survival strategy — charging readers for access to its heretofore free web sites.
- Copyright gone copywrong: Cooks Source update
It was the ill-informed e-mail heard 'round the world: "But honestly Monica, the Web is considered 'public domain' and you should be happy we just didn't 'lift' your whole article and put someone else's name on it!"
- The high-stakes overhaul of a newspaper website
The Providence Journal 's website, once considered forward-looking, feels a little backward at the moment.
- Ransom Notes
While reporting from Afghanistan two years ago, David Rohde became, for the second time in his career, an unwilling participant rather than an observer. On October 29, 1995, Rohde had been arrested by Bosnian Serbs. And then in November 2008, Rohde and two Afghan colleagues were en route to an interview with a Taliban commander when they were kidnapped.
- Less
Topics:
This Just In
, Internet, Internet, Berkman Center for Internet and Society, More
, Internet, Internet, Berkman Center for Internet and Society, Science and Technology, Technology, Business, Harvard University, Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart, Social Software and Tagging, Less
