Facebook Privacy Blunder Highlights Online Security Gapsselfnews Post Nevertheless, it highlights the fact that even the leader of social media can be caught off-guard by a security lapse that can affect a huge number of people. And it isnt the first time. As mentioned in the video below, the last Facebook security issue was slightly less than benign when the FTC investigated them for exposing users personal details without legal consent. Its possible that this new breach could bring another investigation and possible lawsuits. If we add this new glitch to the revelations from the NSA spying program, where it has been shown that the government can connect directly to the servers of the major Internet players, it is time for each of us to become more tech savvy in protecting our data and communications from both government and the proven mistakes of corporate behemoths like Facebook. Full transcript of video report with research links posted below Facebook Bug Shares Contact Info of 6 Million Users Its another leak! But not the kind involving the NSA or another part of the federal government. Facebook admitted late Friday it shared the personal e-mail addresses and phone numbers of up to six million users without permission thanks to a software glitch. (Via CNN) The bug was part of the Download Your Information tool, which lets Facebook users export all the data from profiles like posts to their timeline and conversations with friends. People using the tool might have inadvertently downloaded the contact info for users they were somehow connected to. (Via Facebook) Some users upload their contact lists or address books to Facebook. The company then uses that information to suggest new friends to connect with, or invite to the service. The number of people impacted seems sizable, yet it only affects roughly one in 20 of Facebooks more than one billion users so odds are you dont have to worry. If your info was shared, you should receive a heads up from Facebook via email. (Via WTVJ) This case comes two weeks after reports that Facebook and other Internet giants including Google, Apple, Microsoft and Yahoo gave the National Security Agency access to Americans email and other personal info. Its a charge Facebook and the other companies have denied. Facebook also experienced a similar privacy problem last year, when the Federal Trade Commission found the social network exposed details about its users lives without having their legal consent. The FTC then mandated Facebook have regular audits of its privacy practices. (Via NBC) A writer for CNETsays as far as privacy blunders go this current gaffe is pretty minor, but privacy advocates may file lawsuits and the FTC could investigate the matter. Facebook stresses this newly exposed information was only shared with someone users knew. The social media giant added that developers did not receive any data, and the bug has been fixed. For more information about how to secure your personal data, visit VirtualThreat.com Read other articles by selfnews Post Here linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 