Facebook move doesn't clear up privacy fears

The backlash against Facebook last week is a lesson to all Internet companies: Tread more carefully with consumer privacy, even in this linked-in age. Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace have made personal lives an open book on the Internet, especially for the younger generation. But the blowup over Facebook's controversial advertising program made it clear that users want to control what goes out there. And for many, their buying habits are off limits. Internet sites and online marketers need to ensure that privacy protections aren't chiseled away in this brave new world. Congress and other policy-makers need to get up to speed on what's happening and decide if stronger protections are needed for this fundamental right. Facebook did the right thing by making concessions late... MercuryNews