Facebook announced last night that it would adopt new terms of service after they were supported by a majority of members casting ballots online.
The terms represent a fallback position for the social network. The company proposed a set of site guidelines that gave it increased liberties to use the personal data of members.
More than 600,000 Facebook members voted on the site's terms of use
When privacy advocates objected – including the Consumerist Web site, which was the first to pick up on the changes – Facebook watered down its plans. It gave members the final say over their information, and it established a public review period and a mandatory vote on all future revisions.
Facebook said in a blog post that the votes are now in – more than 600,000 people casting ballots. While the turnout is small considering the site’s 200 million membership – 0.3 percent, to be exact – it still represents a large number of people.
It shows that interest in the terms and conditions of Web sites is high among an active minority of Internet users. And it should prompt other sites to take notice.
The Web deeply touches people’s lives and they will stand up and say so when necessary. Democratization is following the masses online.
