New Facebook Rule: Recently, a post has gone viral on Facebook claiming that if users do not copy and paste a specific message, Facebook will gain permission to use their personal information and photos. This claim is completely false and baseless. Such posts have gone viral multiple times before, and each time they have been proven to be a “hoax” or a rumor. In this blog post, we will discuss this issue in detail and explain why you should not believe in such posts.
The Claim of the Viral Post
The viral post typically mentions the following points:
- Users are asked to copy and paste a long message.
- The message states that the user does not give Facebook or Meta permission to use their personal information, photos, or other content.
- It claims that a new Facebook rule is about to be launched, and not sharing this post will leave the user’s data unprotected.
Why Is This Claim False?
This claim is false for several reasons:
- Facebook’s Terms of Service: When you create an account on Facebook, you agree to its “Terms of Service.” These terms already specify how Facebook can use your data. A user’s post cannot change these legal terms.
- Meta’s Data Policy: Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has clearly stated in its data policy that it does not sell personal information like users’ names, emails, or photos to advertisers.
- No Legal Basis: The relationship between a user and a social media platform is based on their mutual agreement (the Terms of Service). It is not legally possible to alter this agreement through a simple post.
This Has Happened Before
This type of rumor is not new. A similar post went viral in 2021 and was proven to be false then as well. Although there have been incidents like the Facebook data leak in 2018, where Mark Zuckerberg himself admitted that some user data was inadvertently leaked, that incident has no connection to the current viral post.
What Should You Do?
If you come across such a post, take the following steps:
- Avoid It: Refrain from copying and pasting such posts.
- Be Informed: Instead of falling for rumors, learn about Facebook’s official policies.
- Report It: You can report such posts as “False Information” or “Spam.”
Conclusion: It is good to be conscious about your privacy on Facebook, but you should rely on accurate information. These kinds of viral hoax posts only spread unnecessary confusion. Therefore, the next time you see such a post, simply ignore it and make others aware too.
