Facebook roundup: photo tags, privacy, Crunchies, Cleantech and more
Facebook re-enables photo tag suggestions – Facebook announced Thursday that it is re-enabling the photo tag suggestion feature in the U.S., which uses facial recognition to help users identify friends in their photos. The controversial feature launched in late 2010, and was removed temporarily last year while Facebook made technical improvements and considered privacy matters. The feature uses algorithms to group photo uploads by those with similar faces, then it suggests friends those faces may belong to by matching them with previously tagged photos of friends. Users can adjust or approve those tags. The feature is on for users by default.
Facebook launches Ask Our CPO feature – Facebook this week launched an Ask Our CPO feature, which allows users to submit questions, concerns and feedback about privacy issues to the company’s chief privacy officer, Erin Egan, who will respond to some questions each month. The feature works as an app on the Facebook Privacy page and is part of Facebook’s attempts to give users more opportunities to raise important matters and get responses from the company, especially after the social network eliminated the option for user votes on policy changes late last year.
Facebook makes payout policy stricter for developers in some countries – Facebook has added new requirements for authentication for new developers using PayPal in China, India, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Norway and some other markets, according to TechCrunch. Facebook now requires identification in the form of photo IDs or incorporation papers for a developer’s business. The social network previously did this for developers in these regions who requested direct deposits, but now those using PayPal will also be under additional scrutiny.
Zuckerberg, Systrom win tech awards – Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom took home “Crunchies,” tech awards voted on by the public. Zuckerberg won CEO of the Year and Systrom won Founder of the Year. Karma/Facebook Gifts was the runner-up in the Best E-Commerce Application category, but was edged by Fab. The Crunchies are hosted by TechCrunch, GigaOm and VentureBeat to honor startups, founders and venture capitalists.
Facebook partners with Cleantech for contest – Facebook partnered with market intelligence firm Cleantech Group for the Cleantech Goes Social contest to support the development of ways to use Facebook to promote the use of clean energy and environmental education. Contestants can submit pitches for products, apps or services that integrate Facebook to promote environmental sustainability. The winning submission will be awarded a $25,000 prize and receive personalized guidance from Cleantech Group and Facebook on further development of the concept.
