Although Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) typically likes to encourage users to share as much information publicly as possible, the social network has made an addition which is intended to help users keep things private. Information Week pointed out the addition, which comes in the form of a pop-up featuring a blue dinosaur.
Facebook’s dinosaur warns about public posts
Before any user posts something which is public, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) now pops up a message to make sure that the user really wants to make their post public. Public messages are those which can be seen by anyone, whether they are friends with the person who posts them or not. The new popup on Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s site shows a blue dinosaur using a laptop computer with the following message:
“Sorry to interrupt. You haven’t changed who can see your posts lately, so we just wanted to make sure you’re sharing this post with the right audience. (Your current setting is Public, though you can change this whenever you post.)”
Facebook’s privacy dinosaur just an experiment
According to Information Week, a spokesperson for Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) said this popup is just an experiment right now. They’re checking to see if it does help people keep from accidentally sharing things with unintended audiences. She also said that they “frequently test new ways to help ensure people are sharing with who they want to on Facebook.”
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) users should be aware that once they post something as public, all future posts are done as public as well—unless they change the setting back to private. This is true on both Facebook mobile apps and the desktop version of the social network. To change the privacy setting, look for the dropdown box at the bottom of the post box. It’s next to the “Post” button. From there, you can change the setting to public, just yourself, friends, or even a custom audience. There are also other lists to choose from, depending on whether you have signed up for any lists on the social network.
