Facebook to simplify privacy settings
Responding to complaints, the social networking site plans to make it easier for users to opt out of some, though not all, data-sharing features. Facing growing protests over its handling of users' personal information, Facebook plans to make changes to the privacy settings available on the world's largest social networking website. But the steps, to be unveiled as early as next week, may not go as far as critics would like. Lawmakers, regulators, privacy watchdogs and some Facebook users have unleashed a storm of criticism of the Internet company since it launched a program that shares user data with three third-party websites. A number of U.S. senators have called on Facebook to allow users to opt out of that program, which Facebook calls instant personalization. The 6-year-old private company also has been assailed for technical glitches and loopholes that have exposed some personal data to third parties. Facebook said Friday that it would simplify its privacy choices in res...