With its June 30th announcement regarding application security, Facebook is extending its privacy policy outward to reach application developers in addition to users and advertisers. That is an important event, because it underscores the commitment Facebook has tried to show its supporters when it comes to ensuring privacy throughout the platform.

Concerns about user confidentiality have been a weakness at all the major social media sites since the phenomenon took off in recent years. Now, with the focus at Facebook being sprinkled about to include application developers, a crucial step toward optimizing user confidence is being made.

But does this policy revision go far enough? As usual, the answer is no. Ultimately, the onus for real security online primarily rests squarely on the shoulders of those most responsible for it: the users. And that is true whether your page is for posting pictures of aunt Sally or a multi-million hit fan page representing a worldwide corporation.

In the case of companies that use Facebook to promote awareness, the responsibility to observe privacy and security extends far beyond that of the casual user. Nowhere is this more evident than with the use of custom Facebook apps. If your business is considering having an app created, it would behoove you to choose your developer carefully.

Recent stories about malicious applications designed to compromise Facebook user information have been reported all over the Internet. These kinds of applications, which are no doubt partly responsible for Facebook’s new policy, were generated by hackers who might just as easily be hired for legitimate apps.

Even with Facebook’s new policy targeting third-party applications, there still isn’t a process in place to scrutinize apps before they are published. Which brings us back to the central point: if Facebook isn’t going to vet application developers, then the companies hiring those developers had better do so, or risk the liability that comes along with app-related disasters.

Established developers with client lists that include companies such as Disney and Toyota are a good place to start. Visit www.avenuesocial.com for more information, and put the responsibility for Facebook security where it belongs.

On you.

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