Several years ago I was in an airport lounge at London’s Heathrow airport when I saw British comedic magician Paul Daniels. I don’t expect many people from this side of the pond will know who he is but in the UK he is well known not only for his clever tricks but also for his catch phrase:

“You’ll like this! Not a lot, but you’ll like it!”

That phrase came to mind following Facebook’s recent privacy changes; it seems a lot of people ‘don’t like it a lot’. What better proof than the current search trend on Google. Type in “how do I” and the google auto fill feature (which fills in queries based on popularity) throws up an interesting first choice; “how do I delete my facebook account”:

The most recent Facebook data privacy policy changes are even testing the tolerance of politicians. Earlier this month Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) was part of a group that met with Elliott Schrage, Facebook’s public relations and policy chief, to discuss the changes and there has been talk of congressional hearings.

I have to confess that I don’t see what the big deal is. I can’t help but ask ‘what do people expect will happen with their data when they put it on a non secure Website?’ Add that the Website is free!

Over the last month or so I’ve seen lots of people joining groups and pages on Facebook that relate to the issue. There’s been lots of complaining and feet stomping and it’s all wearing a bit thin. I’ve heard the ‘expected privacy’ advocates but the complaint is weak; if you don’t want you personal information circulated by Facebook then don’t give it to them in the first place! Or go and pay another social network company that will protect your information.

Am I wrong?