Facebook keeps everything about you, even if you deleted it
I just found out that facebook keeps everything about you, even though you already remove the particular information from the facebook. I just checked out my server logs, and it seems I still got page hits on a page I’ve deleted from by blog more than two weeks ago. The page was containing project photos of my workplace, and to reduce the server loads and avoid to upload two times, I upload them into one of my facebook photos album. I was not aware the photos are prohibited to be shared when I upload them, especially putting it on the internet, until someone told me to remove the photos.
So I got the particular photos page removed on my blog, and I deleted the entire album on facebook. When I look the server logs on the page hits several days ago, I was not worried, I thought google only caches the thumbnails, the important thing is I’ve deleted the actual file. But after did some checking myself to google image search the keyword, I found out that the search results returns actual images physical link address to facebook server, altough it returns 404 errors in my blog. Then I clicked on the see full size link and guess what? THE IMAGES IS STILL ACCESSIBLE ON FACEBOOK SERVER! IN FULL SIZE!
I’m pissed, because I found out that I don’t have full control the information about me on facebook. Facebook still retains the image even though I’ve deleted it from facebook interface. I wonder what other information retained by facebook after you delete it from facebook.
A while ago I read an article on nytimes that facebook keeps your records even if you close your account in facebook, and the user find it hard time to force facebook to delete the account.
I also found on facebook privacy policy page:
Access and control over most personal information on Facebook is readily available through the profile editing tools. Facebook users may modify or delete any of their profile information at any time by logging into their account. Information will be updated immediately. Individuals who wish to deactivate their Facebook account may do so on the My Account page. Removed information may persist in backup copies for a reasonable period of time but will not be generally available to members of Facebook.
It is reasonable if the information persist in backup copies for a reasonable period amount of time, and not generally available to members of facebook, I’m OK with that. But why my deleted photos still accessible by anyone on the internet? Although with the help with google image search but at least facebook should delete or at least block access for general users to the deleted images link.
I’ve filed a complaint to facebook, lets see how it goes.
