[LINK] need for new models of governance

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Zuckerberg: "We Do Not Own User Data, Users Do"
Nicholas Carlson|Feb. 26, 2009, 3:09 PM|2

http://www.businessinsider.com/zuckerberg-we-do-not-own-user-data-users-
do-2009-2


Still suffering from a brouhaha that erupted when it updated its terms of 
service a couple weeks ago, Facebook today hosted a conference call for 
the press so it could explain itself more.

People got upset when Facebook changed its TOS because the social network 
did so in a way that made it seem like the company was trying to say it 
would own and store its users' data forever.

In reality, Facebook said what it said due to usability concerns. For 
example, it would be silly for Facebook to delete one user's sent 
messages from other users inboxes just because that user quit the site.

Anyway, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg soon apologized and the site 
reverted to its old terms of service.

On today's call, Mark went further, saying, "we do not own user data, 
users do." 

Facebook also released what its calling a "Draft Principles and Statement 
of Rights and Responsibilities For User Review, Comment and Vote." 

Here's your copy:

Facebook Opens Governance of Service and Policy Process to Users

Releases Draft Principles and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities 

For User Review, Comment and Vote

PALO ALTO, Calif. – February 26, 2009 – Facebook® today announced a new 
approach to site governance that offers its users around the world an 
unprecedented role in determining the future policies governing the 
service. Facebook released the first proposals subject to these new 
procedures – The Facebook Principles, a set of values that will guide the 
development of the service, and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities 
that make clear Facebook’s and users’ commitments related to the service.

Over the coming weeks, users will have the opportunity to review, comment 
and vote on these documents. An update to the Privacy Policy is also 
planned and this change will be subject to similar input.

“As people share more information on services like Facebook, a new 
relationship is created between Internet companies and the people they 
serve," said Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook. 

“The past week reminded us that users feel a real sense of ownership over 
Facebook itself, not just the information they share."

“Companies like ours need to develop new models of governance,” 
Zuckerberg added. "Rather than simply reissue a new Terms of Use, the 
changes we’re announcing today are designed to open up Facebook so that 
users can participate meaningfully in our policies and our future.”

“This is an unprecedented action. No other company has made such a bold 
move towards transparency and democratization,” said Simon Davies, 
Director, Privacy International. “The devil will be in the detail but, 
overall, we applaud these positive steps and think they foreshadow the 
future of web 2.0. We hope Facebook will realize these extraordinary 
commitments through concrete action and we challenge the rest of the 
industry to exceed them.”

Facebook will continue to make independent decisions about the timing and 
rollout of products. While these must be consistent with the Principles 
and in compliance with the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, they 
will not be subject to the notice and comment or voting requirements.

Principles of the Facebook Service

The Facebook Principles are derived from the belief that certain values 
should guide the company's efforts to achieve its mission of making the 
world more open and connected. The 10 Principles include the "Freedom to 
Share and Connect", "Fundamental Equality" of people on 
Facebook, "Ownership and Control of Information," and other basic tenets 
of the Facebook service. Achieving these Principles should be constrained 
only by limitations of law, technology, and evolving social norms about 
sharing.

Statement of Rights and Responsibilities

The Statement of Rights and Responsibilities was drafted to address the 
common issues raised by users on the officially established Facebook Bill 
of Rights and Responsibilities Group, jointly administered by the company 
and two concerned users, Julius Harper of Los Angeles and Anne Kathrine 
Yojana Petterøe of Oslo, Norway. The document evolved from the Facebook 
Principles, and will govern Facebook's relationship with users and others 
who interact with it. Once finalized, the Statement will take the place 
of Facebook's existing Terms of Use, Developer Terms of Service, and the 
Facebook Advertising Terms and Conditions.

The document, which condensed almost 40 pages of legal jargon into fewer 
than six pages, emphasizes clarity and accessibility. It reaffirms that 
users, not Facebook, own the content they share through Facebook services 
and that Facebook's permission to use that content expires when users 
delete the content or terminate their accounts. The document also 
codifies the specific requirements that users be given notice, an 
opportunity to comment, and, in certain cases, approval authority through 
a vote for policy changes.

More About the New User Participation Mechanisms

Transparency and User Input

Facebook committed to holding virtual Town Halls following the 
announcement of the new Principles and Statement of Rights and 
Responsibilities for 30 days, with the comment period scheduled to close 
at 12:01 am PDT on March 29. During this time, users have an opportunity 
to comment on the proposed policy. This also addresses specific concerns 
raised by users on the Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities 
Group. Users are invited to comment on the Principles, and on the 
Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, by joining the following new 
groups specifically created for such comments; Principles at 
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54964476066; and Statement of 
Rights and Responsibilities should join the group at 
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67758697570.

After the comment period ends, Facebook will review and consider 
submissions. Facebook will then republish the Principles and Statement of 
Rights and Responsibilities, incorporating any changes it has made. The 
company will also provide users a summary of the most common and 
significant comments received, including its response to those comments 
where appropriate.

If these documents are approved, then all future policy changes would be 
subject to notice and comment periods of varying lengths depending upon 
the nature of the change. Following the comment period, Facebook would 
publish a final policy proposal that reflects the comments received.

Direct Voting

Following the first Town Halls, The Facebook Principles and the Statement 
of Rights and Responsibilities will be the first set of policies subject 
to a vote, which may include other alternatives. The vote will be open to 
all Facebook users active as of February 25, 2009. The results of the 
vote will be made public and will be binding if more than 30% of all 
active registered users vote.

If users approve the draft Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, then 
all future policy changes would be eligible for a vote by users, provided 
the level of intensity of user interest would justify it. User interest 
would be determined by the number of users who comment on any proposed 
change during the comment period.

User Council

Facebook also announced its intention to establish a user council to 
participate more closely in the development and discussion of policies 
and practices. As a start, the company indicated that it would invite the 
authors of the most insightful and constructive comments on the draft 
documents to serve as founding members of the group.

Other Third-Party Reaction

Facebook shared today's news with industry experts and concerned users 
who offered the following comments in response.

“This truly breaks new ground by sending a message to the Facebook 
community that their expectations about how information is used really do 
matter,” said Jules Polonetsky, Co-Chair and Director of the Future of 
Privacy Forum. “A company formally handing over a business decision to a 
user vote is a dramatic step forward for transparency and user control.”

“Facebook’s decision to adopt a notice and comment model of rulemaking 
demonstrates a truly unique commitment to transparency," said Aron 
Cramer, President and CEO of Business for Social Responsibility. "This 
step sets a new standard for corporate transparency and stakeholder 
engagement by applying the principles of social networking in 
fundamentally new and important ways.”

"The idea that a major company like Facebook would give it's users a vote 
in how the service is governed is remarkable," said Julius Harper a 
Facebook user and a co-founding administrator of the People Against the 
new Terms of Service group on Facebook. "This decision should go far in 
restoring people's trust, and I hope it sets a precedent for other online 
services to follow."

 
--
Cheers
Stephen