By Benjamin Doherty

The backlash Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced in response to the social-networking behemoth’s recent personal privacy changes has been well-documented. The company, which has more than 450 million users worldwide, implemented changes that placed more personal information in the public realm. For many users decrying these changes, concern stemmed from, amongst other things, identity theft and infringement on personal privacy rights.

Always one to have a finger on the pulse, Zuckerberg detailed the responsive measures Facebook would take in light of these criticisms. He openly acknowledged the various missteps the company made, specifically failing to fully communicate the motivations and benefits behind such changes to their user base. The lesson to be learned from Facebook’s ongoing social experiment is a powerful one: when operating a user-driven entity, public perception rules the day.

Regarding your own personal online entity, examine your privacy policy to ensure its reasonableness. Where are your failings? What are the legal consequences of such failings? Are your policies infringing on your users in violation of their privacy rights? The language of privacy agreements, although commonly overlooked as boilerplate, is of the utmost importance. Ensure that you protect yourself and your entity from exposure to potential legal liability. As good, ethical business practice, communicate and disclose your policies to guarantee a positive user experience without tarnishing reputation.