Don’t Panic, This Facebook Warning is a Hoax

I keep seeing this post on my Facebook news feed and many people seem to be panicked about it. You shouldn't be.

This crazy thing has actually been around for several years and the last few days it's being shared like wildfire. Here's what it says:

Deadline tomorrow !!! Everything you’ve ever posted becomes public from tomorrow. Even messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. It costs nothing for a simple copy and paste, better safe than sorry. Channel 13 News talked about the change in Facebook’s privacy policy. I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. With this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. Copy and paste

No, Facebook isn't going to make all your posts public. Their terms of service still apply to your account, even if you copied and pasted the above and put it out there. This is directly from that Facebook terms of service page: "You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it is shared through your privacy and application settings." 

Snopes updated the fact this whole thing is a hoax last Friday. Perhaps that's why this crazy thing has reared its ugly head again. Nope, it's not real so stop worrying about this and focus on something more important, like whether your Cubs will win tonight.

[via Snopes and Facebook]