Social Networking Policy Act - Making Social Networks Antisocial.

Have you heard of the latest challenge social networks has to contend with?  The Social Networking Policy Act (SB 242) authored by California State Senator Ellen Crobett will make social networking sites a bit anti-social. 

Of course one of the first to react to this proposed Act is Facebook CEO Mark Zukerberg who has advocated sharing of information online.  In fact, he believes that the sharing of personal data online is a “social norm”.  He practically built Facebook on this fundamental idea that people share personal information with others online. 

The social network is a community where information is freely shared – even personal ones.  Let’s face it, more and more people are taking the online social networking arena to meet and interact with others.  In fact, the online social network has become the new place to meet and discuss.  Moreover, social networking has become part of the culture of modern day individuals. 

Of course anyone who wants to sign up for any social network still has to give personal data to set up an account.  But the difference is through this legislation, account owners can opt not to share personal information with others.  At first glance this seems logical and harmless to the social network sites.  But there’s more to this bill than meets the eye. 

Under the proposed Act, users have the option of tweaking their privacy settings.  In addition, they can limit the information to just their name and the city they reside in.  But this does not end there!  Social networks will be required to delete any personal information that the account user wants to get rid of.  This takes a 180 degree turn to what the social network concept stands for.  To make matters worse, the bill provides a truly alarming proposition.  Parents can edit whatever is on their child’s profile! For example a child’s Facebook profile can be edited by their parents without having to break any privacy laws.   Just for the record, this bill will affect not just Facebook and large international social networking sites. It will affect even small, school-maintained social networks and social websites. 

If this bill ever gets passed, social networks beware.  Any violation will be fined $10,000.00 per user account violated.

Surely the bill has good intentions especially the protection of individuals.  But it seems that the social network is becoming a bit anti-social with this bill.