Facebook Mulls Enhanced Notice For Contacts-Sharing

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Facebook told lawmakers that it intends to relaunch a controversial feature that enables outside developers to obtain users' mobile phone numbers and addresses, provided the users consent. But, the company added, it also is evaluating how it can better inform users about the feature.

"Facebook is currently considering enhancements to our permission screen that would highlight for users when they are being asked for permission to share their contact information," the company said in a letter to Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), co-chairmen of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus.

The social networking site was responding to the lawmakers' request for more information about the new feature, which Facebook launched in January but then suspended after only a few days.

One of the criticisms of Facebook's plan stemmed from the procedure it deployed to obtain users' consent. The company showed users a screen telling them that their contact information was being sought by developers, and asking whether to allow access to such data. But many observers predicted that users would go through the process so quickly they wouldn't realize they were allowing third parties to access their contact information.

In addition, it appeared that users who declined to share their data with developers could be prevented from downloading the apps.

Markey and Barton had requested a host of information about the feature, including whether Facebook considered if the new initiative would pose any special risks to children and teens. Facebook said in its response that it is "actively considering whether to enable applications to request contact information from minors at all." The company also reiterated that it prohibits minors under 13 from joining the service.

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