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"Google has expressed outrage following a report that the US National Security Agency (NSA) has hacked its data links."

"Facebook's photo-sharing app Moments will not be made available in Europe due to concerns about its use of facial recognition, it has been revealed. The app, which allows users to share mobile-phone photos with friends without posting them publicly, was launched in the US this week. The Irish data regulator said that users must be given a choice about whether they want it, with an opt-in. There is currently no timetable for such a feature, said Facebook. Richard Allen, Facebook's head of policy in Europe said: "We don't have an opt-in mechanism so it is turned off until we develop one." Moments arranges the photos on someone's mobile phone into groups, based on when they were taken. The facial recognition technology can identify Facebook friends to whom users can then forward the photos. Combining data The social network is taking facial recognition very seriously and announced earlier this year that its DeepFace AI system was powerful enough to identify users with a 97.25% level of accuracy. But the social network's use of the technology has not gone down well with European and Canadian regulators. In 2010, Facebook rolled out facial recognition technology to identify people in photos but, two years later, it was forced to withdraw the technology from Europe, after Ireland's data protection commission highlighted privacy issues. At the time, the privacy commissioner of Canada said: "Of significant privacy concern is the fact that Facebook has the ability to combine facial biometric data with extensive information about users, including biographic data, location data, and associations with friends." The system, which is increasingly used by technology and other firms, is the subject of debate in the US too. Recent talks between privacy organisations and government agencies aimed at creating a code of conduct around facial recognition technology broke down after they failed to reach agreement. "At a base minimum, people should be able to walk down a publ

Facebook may have found a way to break the Egyptian government's blockade of its website. The government there has been blocking several social media sites that demonstrators are using to organize and document protests. Today marks the third day of protests in Egypt calling for the ouster of long-time President Hosni Mubarak. Facebook is using lessons it learned in Tunisia, where the government allegedly hacked its Web site and tried to steal the passwords and personal information of protesters in that country. Jillian York of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society monitors the Arab world online and discusses efforts to get around governments' blockades of social media sites.

"What NOT To Post On Facebook: 13 Things You Shouldn't Tell Your Facebook Friends" Inlcudes slides.

"Features introduced last month include the ability for partner websites such as micro-blogging site Twitter to incorporate Facebook data, a move that would further expand the social network's presence on the internet. Critics said they were worried personal information about Facebook users was available to third-party websites." "When you meet somebody face to face, you can tell a lot from body language and instincts, and you cannot do that when you are dealing with somebody online."

"Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have brought together Queenslanders hunting for up-to-the-minute information on the devastating floods afflicting the sunshine state. As Queensland Police work around the clock to keep the public informed on the movement of flood waters, they have also turned to these popular sites to publish updates and combat myths and rumours, as citizens post photos, updates and words of encouragement to one another. Although Queensland is issuing information through its State Disaster Management Service website, some web services have been disrupted with Brisbane City Council's flood flag map unable to cope with the high demand for updates on road closures and evacuations. Advertisement: Story continues below As a consequence, Facebook and Twitter have become a crucial lifeline as Queensland Police publish regular bulletins about the flood waters, warnings of road closures, and evacuation procedures."

"Others turned to Facebook for their updates and to seek help, with the most popular page, Cyclone Yasi Update, garnering close to 90,000 members. Over 25 Facebook groups were created for the cyclone. Social media monitoring company SR7 compiled the figures and its director of strategy and engagement, Thomas Tudehope, said social media had now become an integral part of crisis management for governments."

Facebook credits

Commonsense media supply regular updates on social media tools. This one about FaceBook is an excellent guide.

"10 Things You Shouldn't Do on Facebook"

"Facebook has been nudging its users - first gently, then firmly - to review and update their privacy settings."

"The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has attacked the social networking site Facebook and its former college student founder for what he says is its ''complete disregard'' for privacy."

"How does an unknown dating site, with the absurd intention of destroying Facebook, launch with 250,000 member profiles on the first day?"

"People with the most Facebook "friends" are more likely to feel stressed out by the site, according to researchers."

Hit back from Facebook.

CBC News - Technology & Science