Facebook to open to the public
Mandy Silver and David Tabor
Issue date: 9/13/06 Section: News
|
Facebook does not currently have a date for the expanded registration. Facebook's communication to its user-base about the change has been cryptic, with a single post stating, "In the future, people will be able to register for regions. But not yet."
Mark Zuckerberg launched the Web site in 2004 as an exclusive social networking site for college students. Since last September, Facebook has extended membership to include high school students and selected company networks.
According to some students, Facebook risks losing its unique identity from MySpace with its future plans to transition from an exclusive to public network. Sophomore Hannah Cowan said she has felt comfortable posting information on Facebook she has not posted on MySpace.
"For MySpace, it's keeping in touch with people from work who aren't in school," said Cowan. "Most of my private stuff is on Facebook like my contact e-mail, screen name, and dorm. I would have to change my profile if the change happened."
Facebook's new features continue to generate discussions of privacy among users, particularly following last week's additions of a "news feed" and "mini feed." The change prompted widespread user protest.
The decision to open Facebook to a wider audience only compounds users' privacy concerns, said Professor Charles Ess of Drury University. In addition to his position as professor, Ess is vice president of the Association of Internet Researchers, an interdisciplinary academic collaboration.
Ess explained that students have been using Facebook under the false assumption that their profiles are private. On the contrary, parents, teachers, and employers have all found ways to access information on Facebook.
"People need to realize that there is almost no such thing as privacy on the Internet," said Ess. "In my mind, the positive side of this is that [current users] will realize this is not a private domain."
Be the first to comment on this story