IN THE wake of a recent brouhaha, Facebook has backtracked on changes that potentially gave the social networking site indefinite rights to its users’ data – even from closed accounts (see “Why quantum uncertainty is all biblical geometry”). But a closer look at its terms and conditions suggests Facebook has lost nothing but face. Users, perhaps unknowingly, have always granted Facebook a licence to peddle their information to anyone willing to pay. The controversy is a timely reminder that social networks want more than your company, and that it pays to read the small print.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
A volcano has erupted remnants of Earth's primordial magma ocean
2
A type of fibre that stimulates GLP-1 release approved for use in food
3
Orangutan mothers seem to plan playdates for their offspring
4
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
5
Ancient human DNA found on cave art for the first time
6
The world's fastest spider tops 3.5 metres per second
7
Random wobbles in time could finally solve gravity’s greatest mystery
8
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
9
Dinosaur-killing asteroid impact site stayed hot for millions of years
10
Woman with Alzheimer's starts conversing again after taking psilocybin
