Earlier this month, Facebook was revealed to be collecting nearly 90 millions of their users’ data without their consent. The CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, appeared in front of Congress and faced senators last Tuesday to discuss Facebook’s data privacy, and also to apologize for Facebook’s failure to protect its users' privacy information. Zuckerberg also answered questions regarding how Facebook has handled its user data and how it is going to improve.

 

“We didn't take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. And it was my mistake. And I'm sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I'm responsible for what happens here”, Mark Zuckerberg said in the meeting with senators.

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“So, now, we have to go through our — all of our relationships with people and make sure that we're taking a broad enough view of our responsibility.” said Zuckerberg

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Facebook said it is their responsibility to make sure their privacy settings are clear to the users, and it is important to be complete and easier for people to use. In this case, Facebook will start to ask users to agree to Facebook's new terms of service and data policy. It will start asking users whether they want Facebook to use data from other applications, such as other websites, to show them ads catered to their interests.

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Facebook will also redesign its settings menu on mobile devices so that the privacy options are all on a single page when clicking on “Settings & Privacy”, instead of privacy settings spread out across everywhere. Facebook will also include a privacy shortcut menu for users to control their data in easy and fewer steps. Users can run through a privacy checkup, which only takes three steps, to help make sure they are sharing the information they want to share. In the privacy checkup, users choose audiences to control who can see their posts, and they can set their profile and decide who to share them with. For example, you can set your birthdate visibility to “Your friends on Facebook” and current city to “Public”. Users can also manage if they want their friends to see the apps and websites they use, and even remove any apps that are connected to their Facebook account.

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During Zuckerberg’s testimony, Senator John Kennedy told him that Facebook’s user agreement sucks. "Here's what everybody has been trying to tell you today, and I say this gently: your user agreement sucks," Kennedy said, "You can spot me 75 IQ points. If I can figure it out, you can figure it out. The purpose of that user agreement is to cover Facebook's rear end, it's not to inform your users about their rights. You know that and I know that. I'm going to suggest that you go home and rewrite it."

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After Zuckerberg’s apology came out, users’ reactions appeal to be different. According to Newsweek, Verdun Breck said in the comment: “WHEN he deals with it: PROPERLY as well as other problems he has with FB. THEN I will believe it. Until then?” “TO LITTLE…. TO LATE”, said by Ronald Harman. And Kasi Nath said “And At least Zuckerberg had the courage and decency to own up to the debacle. Stock prices tumbling might have ‘forced’ him to admit it. But it is nevertheless an honest attempt to restore consumer confidence” sarcastically.

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Facebook also claimed that it will publish restrictions with the European privacy law, which is known as the General Data Protection Regulation to give its users more control over their data and privacy.  So, when users open up their Facebook app, it will ask users if their data can be used for other things such as facial recognition. "We will present the information in the ways that make the most sense for other regions," Facebook said.