Facebook has sent notifications to its users this week, explaining that it's updating various settings and terms, putting privacy and control back in the hands of its users. Unlike some others, this sounds like an update we can actually get on board with.
The main update users will notice, is that a Privacy Basics section will be introduced, providing guides on how you can control your information on Facebook.
"For example, you can learn about untagging, unfriending, blocking and how to choose an audience for each of your posts. Along with our privacy checkup, reminder for people posting publicly and simplified audience selectors, Privacy Basics is the latest step we've taken to help you make sure you're sharing with the people you want."
Basically, this tool should hopefully make controlling who sees what from the things you post.
Other updates include changes to to location services, which means, "in the future, if you decide to share where you are, you might see menus from restaurants nearby or updates from friends in the area."
Another feature could see that long-awaited 'Buy' button introduced in some areas, meaning you'll be able to make purchases without even leaving Facebook. Good for laziness, bad for impulse buying.
There will also be more information on how you can link Facebook to other apps, if you want to, so that you can use your Facebook account to recover your password information for Instagram, for example.
Plus, Facebook are promising to give users more control over adverts, making it easier to opt out of certain things and apply those changes across ALL of your devices.
They add: "People sometimes ask how their information is shared with advertisers. Nothing is changing with these updates—we help advertisers reach people with relevant ads without telling them who you are.
"We hope these updates improve your experience. Protecting people's information and providing meaningful privacy controls are at the core of everything we do, and we believe these announcements are an important step."
These updates will take effect on 1 January 2015. What do you think of the changes? Tweet us @CosmopolitanUK.
