The Facebook privacy and copyright hoaxes are a collection of internet hoaxes claiming that posting a status on Facebook constitutes a legal notice protecting one's posts from copyright infringement[1] or providing privacy protection to one's profile information and posted content. The hoax takes the form of a Facebook status that urges others to post the same or a similar status.[2][3]
The hoax first became popular in May and June 2012, but has since re-appeared multiple times, including in November 2012[3] and again in January[1] and September 2015.[4] A number of high-profile individuals such as Rick Perry have fallen victim to the hoax.[5]
The hoaxes are based on several false assumptions, including that Facebook becoming a public company in May 2012 affects how it treats user information,[6] that posting certain content online can protect someone from adverse legal consequences,[7] and that Facebook can significantly change its terms of service agreement without providing notification of those changes.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b Schupak, Amanda (5 January 2015). "Facebook privacy hoax making the rounds, again". CBS News. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ Ngak, Chenga (26 November 2012). "Viral "Facebook privacy notice" is a hoax". CBS News. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ a b Tate, Ryan (26 November 2012). "Facebook Debunks Copyright Hoax". Wired. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ Earl, Jennifer (28 September 2015). "Watch out for these Facebook privacy hoaxes". CBS News. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ Spencer, Saranac Hale (22 August 2019). "Instagram Hoax Nabs Rick Perry". FactCheck.org. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
- ^ a b Sydiongco, David (5 June 2012). "Don't Bother Posting the "Facebook Privacy Notice" That's Spreading Around". Slate. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ^ Mikkelson, David (28 September 2015). "Facebook Privacy Notice". Snopes. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
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