German official: Facebook must delete faces
BERLIN (AP) — A German data protection official has called for Facebook to delete biometric profiles of people stored without their explicit consent.
In short, he wants Facebook to delete users' faces from its databases.
The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection said Wednesday that talks to bring Facebook's business practice in line with German and European privacy rules had failed.
Johannes Caspar says he is now re-opening a stalled probe of the Menlo Park, California-based company "in order to find a legally sound solution with regard to the use of biometric data" that he says can be used to automatically identify individuals.
He says "Facebook will be obliged to delete this data unless it obtains approval by all concerned users."
Calls to Facebook representatives in London weren't immediately answered.
In short, he wants Facebook to delete users' faces from its databases.
The Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection said Wednesday that talks to bring Facebook's business practice in line with German and European privacy rules had failed.
Johannes Caspar says he is now re-opening a stalled probe of the Menlo Park, California-based company "in order to find a legally sound solution with regard to the use of biometric data" that he says can be used to automatically identify individuals.
He says "Facebook will be obliged to delete this data unless it obtains approval by all concerned users."
Calls to Facebook representatives in London weren't immediately answered.
So will they rename it in Germany to Book?
I don't understand the appeal of Facebook at all. There has got to be a better way to socialize with old friends online, without all the other BS that comes with Facebook.
 @Insomniac Dreams Have you tried facebook? You don't have to input any personal information if you choose not to. Just your name and an email address. YOu can use something like classmates (or other services) to connect with old friends, but they typically charge $$$. Facebook is free and is pretty cool for connecting. I don't use it much, but it's nice that it's available to say "hi".
Thank goodness. Finally some common sense regarding this invasive total disregard of human rights. Google needs to be next.Â
 @oldster70 Wow. Not having your picture stored in a database is a "human right". Now that's a stretch.