14 DAY TRIAL // Facebook is perfectly aware of the fear people have in regards to how it handles user data so it wants to make it clear that it does not condone surveillance of any kind.
In a post published earlier today, Facebook's deputy chief privacy officer Rob Sherman says that it wants everyone to know that it plans to protect users. "We are committed to building a community where people can feel safe making their voices heard," he starts.
Sherman goes on to explain that Facebook's approach involves making careful decisions every day about how the social network uses and protects data, but also about how the Facebook platform is used by third parties.
"Today we are adding language to our Facebook and Instagram platform policies to more clearly explain that developers cannot 'use data obtained from us to provide tools that are used for surveillance.' Our goal is to make our policy explicit," Sherman states.
Months in the works
It seems that over the past several months, Facebook has already taken action against developers who created marketed tools meant for user surveillance, which is in violation of the company policies.
Another change they've made was to ban ads promoting payday loans and prohibiting companies from using Facebook data to make decisions about whether to approve or reject a loan application.
The company has worked alongside the American Civil Liberties Union, Color of Change and the Center for Media Justice to better write the update.
"When technology companies allow their platforms and devices to be used to conduct mass surveillance of activists and other targeted communities, it chills democratic dissent and gives authoritarianism a license to thrive," said Malkia Cyril, Executive Director of Center for Media Justice Executive, praising Facebook for its decision.
Facebook hopes they'll manage to lead by example, using its policies to support the community, while also encouraging other companies to take positive steps in the same direction.