Facebook tests Buy button, tweaks basic privacy settings

Starting January 2015, users of social networking giant Facebook may be able to buy things online—and, hopefully, have more control over what they share.

 

Facebook said these tweaks are contained in its terms and policies, as well as in its newly rolled out Privacy Basics.

 

"In some regions, we're testing a Buy button that helps people discover and purchase products without leaving Facebook. We're also working on new ways to make transactions even more convenient," Global Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan said.

 

"We hope these updates improve your experience. Protecting people's information and providing meaningful privacy controls are at the core of everything we do, and we believe today's announcement is an important step," Egan added.

 

Also, Egan said Facebook wil continue to improve ads based on the apps and sites people use off Facebook and expanding users' control over the ads they see.

 

Egan said "Privacy Basics" is a how-to guide on the new features and controls available to Facebook users.

 

Updating terms and policies

 

Egan said the updates to Facebook policies include:

 

Discover what's going on around you: Facebook explains how it gets location information depending on the features users avail of.

 

Make purchases more convenient: in some regions, Facebook is testing a Buy button that helps people discover and purchase products without leaving Facebook.

 

Find information about privacy on Facebook at the moment you need it: moving tips and suggestions to Privacy Basics. Facebook's data policy is shorter and clearer, making it easier to read.

 

Understand how Facebook uses the information it receives.

 

Users' information and advertising: Facebook will continue to help advertisers reach people with relevant ads without telling them who its users are.

 

Control over ads

 

Facebook will respect the choices users make about the ads they see, across every device.

 

"You can opt out of seeing ads on Facebook based on the apps and sites you use through the Digital Advertising Alliance. You can also opt out using controls on iOS and Android. When you tell us you don't want to see these types of ads, your decision automatically applies to every device you use to access Facebook," Egan said.

 

Egan added Facebook is now making ad preferences available in additional countries, beginning with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK.

 

Privacy basics

 

Meanwhile, Egan said Privacy Basics offers interactive guides to answer the most commonly asked questions about how one can control one's information on Facebook.

 

"For example, you can learn about untagging, unfriending, blocking, and how to choose an audience for each of your posts. This information is available in 36 languages," Egan said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News