That privacy message everyone’s posting on Facebook? It doesn’t work

You’ve certainly stumbled on a text that many Facebook users are pasting on their walls in an attempt to protect their personal data after the latest changes to the social network’s privacy policies when it comes to using your data for both its own internal services and ad campaigns, to take effect from 1 January 2015. To make clear: the message is meaningless as it uses affirmations based on fictitious clauses and laws, besides the fact that your very use of Facebook means you are accepting all the terms of use, no matter what you say otherwise.

To answer any questions about the changes, Facebook has set up an info page where they specify the type of information compiled and the way they use it, and highlight the obvious such as the facts that nothing can be done about the content published by third parties where you have been mentioned and that your data may continue to appear even though you’ve deleted it. This data policy covers info related to your interactions with the social network, groups and people you follow, bank data in case you make purchases from your account, and technical information about the devices that you use to connect. Broadly, the aim is to offer custom ad campaigns and information for each user based on their use habits.

The text is made up of a hodgepodge of rambling data, mentioning certain articles of copyright laws that have nothing to do with anything (about representation rights and exploitation of artists) or a supposed UCC law that doesn’t actually cover this circumstance as it pertains to mercantile law. This is the message in question:

In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, crafts, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention).

For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!

(Anyone reading this can copy this text and paste it on their Facebook Wall. This will place them under protection of copyright laws.)

By the present communiqué, I notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents and/or any staff under Facebook’s direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punished by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).

Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile status updates…