In Facebook founder and CEO mark Zuckerberg hearings before the energy and house Commerce Committee on Wednesday, legislators were stupid, what they see as flaws — lack of self-control, lack of transparency, and unwillingness to give users more control over their own data.
In a particularly tense moment, Rep. Frank Pallone (d-NJ) asked Zuckerberg if he would do to minimize that, “to the extent possible, the collection and use of user data.”
Then he asked Zuckerberg for a simple “Yes” or “no” answer as to what Zuckerberg was hesitant to give.
It was one of the first times in two days, congressional hearings Zuckerberg that he struggled to provide a complete, polished answer when challenged about the changes Facebook was willing to accept:
“You agree to change all the settings to the default user to minimize to the extent possible, the collection and use of user data? You can make this commitment?” Pallone asked.
Zuckerberg launched in response: “Congressman, we try to collect and give people the opportunity —”
Pallone prevented him to require “Yes” or “no” answer: “will you undertake to change all users default to minimize to the extent possible, the collection and use of data? I don’t think it’s hard for you to say Yes, if I’m missing something”.
“Congressman,” Zuckerberg said, “this is a difficult question which I think deserves more than a one-word answer.”
In a time when the legislature is considering the company to see how much you are willing to accept drastic changes in their policies, or the government will have the power of the force due to the strengthening of control measures, Zuckerberg is the absence of ready answers is seriously talking now.
The exchange suggests that Facebook is not ready to completely change your business model, to atone for their numerous sins. It also reflects how large and complex a touching Facebook parts and how difficult the adjustment will be made at this point in the development of the company.
Zuckerberg tried to defend his reasoning, reminding Pallone, “the reason we built the platform in the first place because we thought it would be nice if more experience that people can be more social” — and what to do social interactions occur, “you should be able to sign in to the app to bring some of your data, some of your friends ‘ data, and that’s what we’ve built.”
The transcript of the full exchange follows.
Pallone
Let me ask you three simple questions. Answer Yes or no because of the time. Yes or no, Facebook limits the number or type of data Facebook collects or uses?
Zuckerberg
Congressman, Yes. We limit the data set that we collect and use.
Pallone
See, I don’t see that in the ads, which you did. You have done all these ads over the last few days about the changes that you are going to do and I really don’t see how these announcements or changes in limits the amount the type of data that Facebook uses in an efficient way.
Let me turn to the second. Again, my concern is that currently, users may not know or to take positive action to protect their own privacy. Yes or no? Is Facebook changing any settings, the default user should be a higher level of privacy protection?
Zuckerberg
Congressman, Yes. In response to these issues, we have changed a lot so that our Platform works so that way developers will not be able to access information.
Pallone
See, again, I don’t see that in the changes that you suggested. I really don’t see any way that you can change the settings to the default user, which will be more secure privacy, but let me go to the third.
Yes or no? You agree to change all the settings to the default user to minimize to the extent possible, the collection and use of user data? You can make this commitment?
Zuckerberg
Congressman, we try to collect and give people the opportunity—
Pallone
I would like you to answer Yes or no, if you could? Will you undertake to change all the settings to the default user to minimize to the extent possible, the collection and use of user data? I don’t think it’s hard for you to say Yes, if I’m missing something.
Zuckerberg
Congressman, this is a difficult question which I think deserves more than a one-word answer.
Pallone
Well, again, it’s frustrating me because I think you should do this. It is possible that we could do is to follow up with you about this if possible. We can do subsequent?
Zuckerberg
Yes.
Pallone
All right. Now you said yesterday that each of us owns the content that we put on Facebook and Facebook that gives consumers control over their content, but we know about the problems with Cambridge intelligence. I know you changed the rules and again this week 2014, but you still allow third parties to access third-party data. As consumers have control over your data, when Facebook is not in control data? This is my concern. Last question.
Zuckerberg
Congressman, that we have allowed our developer platform for people to choose to log into other applications and bring your data. This is something that many people want to be able to do. The reason we built a platform for developers in the first place because we thought it would be nice if more experience that people can be more social.
So, if you could have a calendar that shows birthdays of your friends if you could use the address book in which were pictures of your friends in it, if you had a map that showed the addresses of your friends for it.
In order to do this, you should be able to sign in to the app to bring some of your data some data of your friends, and that’s what we built. Since then, we realized that can be used for abuse. We have restricted that people can only bring their data when they go into the app. This is something that many people do every day and log in to your app with Facebook.
Chair Greg Walden (R-I)
We’re going to have to move on.
Pallone
I think there is not enough — people are not empowered enough to make these decisions in a positive way.
Sourse: vox.com
