Facebook instant personalization: what you need to know

 Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg AP Photo/Mario Jose Sanchez

This week, Facebook rolled out its "Instant Personalization" privacy settings which default to shared information on third party websites. Users can, however, arm themselves with the ability to opt out of the plugin features- the trick is understanding these new settings and electing your privacy choices.

Facebook's very existence rests on information sharing, with a public mission that gives people "the power to share in order to make the world more open," (according to founder and CEO Mark Zuckerburg at F8 2008). The company blog touted the addition of plugins on third party sites as a further means of ensuring a personalized experience on Facebook and the web: 

Using social plugins, websites everywhere can give you more ways to experience the web with your friends... Rather than seeing popular stories, products or reviews from people you don't know, you'll now see content that matters to you the most—from your friends—prominently displayed.

Facebook's latest initiative shares user information with selected third party websites who can in turn customize features to specific users. To test it out, go to Yelp (a site currently hosting a Facebook plugin). You'll notice your Facebook information appear on the header now, with a "Friends Activity" drop down showing your friends' recent reviews on Yelp.

If you want the world to know your favorite Happy Hour bar of choice in your home town, you might welcome the added personalization features as you find more tailored ad's directed to you. But if you'd rather your "Like" buttons and comments are not seen by everyone, everywhere, you aren't alone. 

Given Facebook's prolific presence in everyday American life (it boasts more visits than any other site in the US), Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is one senator of a growing handful who has a bone to pick with the Palo Alto-based company. This week, he called on the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) to provide clear guidelines for transparency on social networking sites. Urging full disclosure of how sites such as Facebook utilize information on their users, Schumer's website says that users have the right to control private information and "fully understand how it's being used."

You need to proactively take charge of your public information by opting out of some privacy settings or electing to stay opted in. It's not rocket science, but there is some fine print and ambiguity that many people have cited. Here's how to opt out of the so-called instant personalization setting in less time than it takes to set your new status update:

-Under your Account tab (top right), go to Privacy Settings.

-Choose Applications and Websites (this is the spot to manage all third-party  access  to information).

-Choose to edit the Instant Personalization Pilot Program 

-Unselect the box allowing for select partners to instantly personalize their features. This solicits a  prompt box, telling you that this setting allows for a richer experience).

-Go back to the Applications and Websites tab from Privacy Settings

-Choose What Your Friends Can Share About You.

-Manage what friends can share to third party sites by checking (allowing) or unchecking (not  allowing) what is disclosed.. 

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