The “Download Your Information” tool was first introduced by Facebook in 2010. This was used to retrieve all users’ videos and photos, wall posts, sent and received messages, and about 5 other categories of information that users uploaded. Downloadable as a .zip file, users were able to make a back up of what they have previously uploaded to the social networking site.

Privacy issues about Facebook’s access to private information and its advertising services prompted critics to ask the company to improve the tool. They urged the company to let users know of other information that it stores about them in its database. The aim is for users to become conscious of how much data they have shared so that they could have more control over it.

There are high hopes that by the end of 2012, consumers will enjoy the benefits of tighter online privacy rules. This optimistic view is based on recent positive responses by companies to adopt the final recommendations set forth as best practices in privacy protection. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is confident that by backing tighter online privacy laws, consumers’ data will not be abused. Instead, consumers can enjoy new services without sacrificing their privacy.

At this time, companies are already working to include privacy into every project that they have. Focus is given on how people’s data is kept safe and to control how much is collected. As part of consumer empowerment, they should have the option to decide what information about them is being shared. This can be made possible if there is a “Do Not Track” mechanism that consumers can use to control the tracking of their activities.

What good would tighter online privacy rules give to consumers? The basis of all these discussions is the fact that there have been many privacy violations. Consumers do not exactly know that they are being tracked online. They also do not know that their personal data is collected and either directly used or sold to other companies. Most of all, consumers do not know the ways that they can protect their privacy.

Will users ever recognize the value of privacy by giving away personal information for free? Experience and observation would tell that many users readily give up privacy in exchange of a few cents that is not worth a candy bar. Research results indicate that over and above protecting their personal information, users put more value on saving a few cents. It seems that only data mining companies have figured out how to make money out of it.

It is estimated that Facebook now holds personal information that is worth about $100 billion. This includes the chatting, browsing and buying habits of millions of the social networking fans. Users who never appreciated the value of their personal data willingly uploaded it. Analysts say that the present trend shows personal data being traded among service providers just like any other commodity. Service providers can make thousands of dollars out of the information that users have given up for “free”.

Did it ever occur to you that as more mobile apps are fed into the market, more new privacy concerns are raised? Those who have smartphones find it very easy to click on any application and download it without second thought. They simply accept all of what is contained in the fine print without paying attention to the app’s terms and conditions. They have no information about the privacy implications that go along with using those products.

Most service terms and security policies are written by lawyers, and that is why they seem to be meaningless to the lay man. Many users make the extra effort to read the fine print, but they eventually give up due to the lengthy litanies of legalese. The reason of course is clear; because they are hard for the lay man to comprehend. Consequently, as more users disregard the value of understanding those terms and conditions, more privacy concerns appear.