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Facebook boss reveals changes in response to criticism | Facebook boss reveals changes in response to criticism |
(32 minutes later) | |
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has revealed a series of changes to the firm's portfolio of social platforms, including Instagram and Whatsapp. | Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has revealed a series of changes to the firm's portfolio of social platforms, including Instagram and Whatsapp. |
The new designs and features for its apps are a direct response to widespread criticism of how the firm protects user data. | The new designs and features for its apps are a direct response to widespread criticism of how the firm protects user data. |
Mr Zuckerberg said the company plans to put privacy first. | |
He acknowledged that there was much to do to rebuild trust. | He acknowledged that there was much to do to rebuild trust. |
In a speech to developers, Mr Zuckerberg described the firm's new focus on privacy as "a major shift" in how the company is run. | In a speech to developers, Mr Zuckerberg described the firm's new focus on privacy as "a major shift" in how the company is run. |
Some of the more visible changes to those who use the firm's products will include: | Some of the more visible changes to those who use the firm's products will include: |
"The future is private," Mr Zuckerberg said - adding, in a nod to the tech giant's stream of privacy scandals: "I know we don't have the strongest reputation on privacy right now, to put it lightly". | |
He said Facebook was focused on looking at ways to encode privacy across the firm's entire infrastructure. | |
"It's not going to happen overnight and to be clear we don't have all the answers," he said. | "It's not going to happen overnight and to be clear we don't have all the answers," he said. |
He has previously said that he believes that people will want to talk privately in small groups and communities in the future. | He has previously said that he believes that people will want to talk privately in small groups and communities in the future. |
However he will have to convince the public that Facebook is the place to do this, some commentators noted. | |
"The big question is how it will perform in a regulated social media world in 2019 and beyond," said social media consultant Matt Navarra. | |
"My verdict: it will go the distance and bounce back, but it's reputation will remain in tatters for years to come." | |
Analysis: Dave Lee, BBC North America technology reporter | Analysis: Dave Lee, BBC North America technology reporter |
Private private private - that's the future of Facebook, as Mark Zuckerberg has said before, but offered more details on here. | Private private private - that's the future of Facebook, as Mark Zuckerberg has said before, but offered more details on here. |
The design changes are the biggest refresh in around five years. It puts greater emphasis on groups and private interactions, encrypted messages that Facebook itself won't be able to access. | The design changes are the biggest refresh in around five years. It puts greater emphasis on groups and private interactions, encrypted messages that Facebook itself won't be able to access. |
And, here's the big news... it will no longer be blue. The desktop apps show Zuckerberg has things like Apple's iMessage in his sights. | And, here's the big news... it will no longer be blue. The desktop apps show Zuckerberg has things like Apple's iMessage in his sights. |
But Facebook needs to prove this is more than just a paint job if it's to get out of its current troubles. | But Facebook needs to prove this is more than just a paint job if it's to get out of its current troubles. |
Mark Zuckerberg made a brief mention about the company not having a good reputation on privacy right now - almost smirking as he said it. The company is working to regain trust, he insists. | Mark Zuckerberg made a brief mention about the company not having a good reputation on privacy right now - almost smirking as he said it. The company is working to regain trust, he insists. |
At the same time it must show it continues to innovate even with all its bigger distractions. That's perhaps the bigger risk to Facebook here: while it's fixing its problems, competitors are working hard to gain ground. | At the same time it must show it continues to innovate even with all its bigger distractions. That's perhaps the bigger risk to Facebook here: while it's fixing its problems, competitors are working hard to gain ground. |
Secret Crush | Secret Crush |
Other announcements included a new feature called Secret Crush, part of Facebook Dating, which will let Facebook members in some countries tag up to nine of their friends to whom they are attracted. | Other announcements included a new feature called Secret Crush, part of Facebook Dating, which will let Facebook members in some countries tag up to nine of their friends to whom they are attracted. |
If the recipient of the crush is also using the feature and nominates them as well, then both parties will receive a message to say they have matched. | If the recipient of the crush is also using the feature and nominates them as well, then both parties will receive a message to say they have matched. |
Facebook Dating will roll out in 14 new countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. It is not currently available in Europe or the US. | Facebook Dating will roll out in 14 new countries including the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. It is not currently available in Europe or the US. |
Virtual Reality | |
The firm also revealed the launch date for its new stand-alone, wireless VR headset, Oculus Quest - which does not require a connection to a PC, smartphone or games console. | |
Mark Zuckerberg announced that everyone attending the conference would be given one as a gift. | |
It will go on general sale on 21 May. | |
"Facebook remains deeply committed to its vision for VR as the next computing platform despite a slow start," commented analyst Geoff Blaber from CCS Insight. | |
"New Oculus products will further refine the VR experience but there remains a disconnect between Facebook's vision and the reality which is dominated by gaming rather than social interaction." |