Social Media networks are warned to simplify their privacy terms

All Social media networks have been warned by the UK Government's Science and Technology Committee that they need to change their terms and condition as they are too labyrinthine. Therefore, users are not properly informed how the company uses their data. The Committee is now working with Government to create a specific set of information Standard for apps and websites which require sign up. That means Social media websites and apps will have to provide full information in clear and simple terms on how they use personal data.

This is quite an issue as most of the time such terms are lengthy and complex which is why most of the times users just agree to the terms without knowing that there might be some information which they don’t want to share. For this purpose UK government is finding ways to make companies more transparent about which information they collect and how they use it. The new set of rules is not law for now, it is still a voluntary act, but if needed it might be imposed as a law.

 Now the question is why would social media volunteer for these rules? On this matter Science and Technology Committee Chair, Andrew Miller MP said "Socially responsible companies wouldn't want to bamboozle their users, of course, so we are sure most social media developers will be happy to sign up to the new guidelines on clear communication and informed consent that we are asking the Government to draw up."