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Don’t fall for Facebook ‘privacy post’ hoax

Posted at 11:09 AM, Nov 26, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-26 11:10:14-05

An old hoax is making the rounds on Facebook again, claiming that if you post its legal-sounding text on your wall, it forbids Facebook to “disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against [the user] on the basis of this profile and/or its contents.”

Finally, the notice points out that “Facebook is now an open capital entity.” and that all its members are “recommended to publish a notice like this.”

This first circulated in May of this year, and seems to have taken off again after Facebook announced that it was considering ending users’ privacy voting rights.

Many have debunked this myth, including Mashable and Snopes.com.

Below is the full text of the hoax:

In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, graphics, comics, paintings, 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 If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile status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…