Following a widespread online backlash sparked by its stealthy move to alter its terms of use, Facebook is now extending the olive branch to its irked user by way of giving them an opportunity to have a say in the creation of the networking site's new privacy policies.
At a press conference on Thursday, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg said the company has committed to holding a virtual Town Halls following the announcement of the new Principles and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities for 30 days.
Users have until the comment period scheduled to close at 12:01 am PDT on March 29 to comment on the proposed policy.
Those who want to know more about Facebook's proposed policy can go here.
To join online groups involved in reviewing these matters, click here.
The terms of use flap stems from Facebook's move to introduce changes the the site's terms of use. Under the changes, user content were deemed properties of Facebook giving the company rights to do as it please with the content.
On Thursday, Zuckerberg admitted to "past mistakes" and reiterated that:"We do not own user data, they [users] own it. We never intended to give that impression and feel really bad that we did."
From now on, he said, the Facebook community would be notified of any planned policy changes. The site will also allow a period of time for Facebook users to comment on the proposed changes.
If comments or interest in the change reached a certain threshold then the change would be voted on by the community, he said.
It is probably stretching things to far to say that what started out as a Web 2.0 embarassment is shaping into the beginings of online democracy.
But this is a rare opportunity for users to voice out their thoughts online and potentially have a say in the decisions of a company that controls something so contentious as user generated digital content. The way Facebook proposes to determine the merits of user comment -- via online interest -- also speaks of how social sites have provided individual and public opinion a new platform.
Users should take up Zuckerberg on his call and let Facebook know what they want.