In response to these updates, Facebook
users shared a statement in which they
expressed their discontent with the new
policy. It reads, “Due to the fact that Face-
book has chosen to involve software that
will allow the theft of my personal informa-
tion, I state: at this date of …, in response
to the new guidelines of Facebook, pursu-
ant to articles L.111, 112 and 113 of the
code of intellectual property, I declare that
my rights are attached to all my personal
data drawings, paintings, photos, video,
texts etc. published on my profile and my
page. For commercial use of the foregoing
my written consent is required at all times.
By this statement, I tell Facebook that it
is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, dis-
tribute, broadcast, or take any other ac-
tion against me on the basis of this profile
and/or its content. The actions mentioned
above also apply to employees, students,
agents and or other personnel under the
direction of Facebook.
The content of my profile contains private
information. The violation of my privacy
is punishable by law (UCC 1-308 1-308
1-103 and the Rome Statute”.
Jumana Antar, director of Corporate Com-
munications for Facebook in the Middle
East, Africa and Eastern and Central Eu-
rope confirmed to mGov that Facebook
never compromises its users’ data and
information, except within a certain limit,
which has to do with commercial advertis-
ing. The new policy does not involve the
sale of data, but only its analysis. Users
remain completely protected under the
terms of use and privacy policy.
Regarding how many people read the
new terms and conditions of the privacy
policy, Antar said Facebook does not have
accurate numbers on that, but in updating
the terms, we made sure they are clearer
and shorter making it easy for everyone
to read and understand. She pointed out
that Facebook has always urged its users
to read the content of terms because they
constitute an agreement between users
and Facebook.
She added that Facebook continuously
works on ensuring the security and pro-
tection of information of users of its ap-
plications, which is a primary policy of the
company that it adopted since its outset
over ten years ago. Answering questions
by mGov, Antar said that the company has
its own team specialized in the safety of
information posted on the website and all
its apps. The team applies the latest soft-
ware to ensure the security of user data.
As for Facebook requiring that its app
Facebook Messenger has access to con-
tacts, photos and videos in addition to al-
lowing the use of camera and microphone
of the user’s phone, Antar said that instant
messenger or chat apps rely on the app’s
details and incorporating the content that
the user might use later through chatting
with friends/family list either by sending
pictures or videos, which is done by the
Messenger app.
Antar said that the company has a grow-
ing number of users for its site and apps.
There is a total number of 1.4 billion Face-
book users worldwide. This shows that us-
ers trust Facebook and its apps.
Finally, Antar mentioned that 74 million
people visit Facebook in the Middle East
alone per day, 65% of whom access the
website and its apps through their smart
phones and devices.
23
January
2015
