That Facebook Privacy Post Is Baloney

If you happen to see a legal-sounding post being shared across Facebook, steer clear. The post is just the latest hoax that began spreading on the social network on Monday, warning that unless users re-post the statement, Facebook will have access to their personal data and photos without their permission. According to the post, those who do re-post it will be exempt from Facebook's Data Use Policy. It then cites a section of the Uniform Commercial Code, which governs commercial transactions, though CNET points out that the section mentioned actually has nothing to do with privacy.

Another hoax making the rounds is one describing a monthly fee that Facebook has supposedly introduced for users to keep their data private. This message promises users who re-post it will get the service free of charge; those who don't will see their posts become public. "While there may be water on Mars, don't believe everything you read on the internet today," a Facebook post reads. "Facebook is free and it always will be. And the thing about copying and pasting a legal notice is just a hoax." CBS News reports similar hoaxes spread in 2012 and Facebook's terms state "you own all of the content and information you post." (More Facebook stories.)