Facebook adds new privacy page

Facebook has launched a new page designed to help users stay on top of their privacy controls as the firm continues to face complaints from users and privacy watchdogs.

Simon Axten, a manager on Facebook's public policy team, said in a blog post that the new page is a "living resource and a venue to facilitate an interactive discussion about privacy with all of you".

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was interviewed yesterday at the All Things Digital conference, and seemed unwilling to have an interactive discussion about privacy.

He dodged a question about why users were not offered an opt-in model for Facebook's more controversial offerings.

"There's this misconception that Facebook is trying to make all the information open, and that's complete false," he said.

Facebook claims to have more than 400 million active users and, although the recent Quit Facebook Day was not the success it might have been, there are suggestions that users are becoming more security aware.

The new privacy page is an attempt to guide users through changing their settings, and has the stated mission to "provide you with the information you need to control your sharing on Facebook, and to gather input from the Facebook community about privacy".

The page is already 'liked' by over 1,800 people, and includes how-to videos for changing settings and walk-through guides in a photo album for navigating personal settings.

"We will regularly post updates on relevant new content, products and news stories related to online privacy," said Axten. "Already you'll find a repository of online privacy resources from Facebook and outside experts."