Facebook allows users to vote on service terms but do they care?

Facebook has fulfilled a promise it made at the end of February by launching an application that will allow its 175 million users to vote on new service terms that will govern the social networks operation.

The promise was made by the social networking giant after it caused a large amount of concern to members through an update on 4 February that meant it would no longer relinquish control over content when users ended their contracts with the firm.

A widespread debate emerged on the importance of copyright clauses in social networking sites' terms of service and prompted nearly 20,000 members to join protest groups.

The controversy ended with Facebook conceding to the protestors, reverting to its old conditions of service and promising to enact a vote on a new set of conditions after it had gauged opinion from at least 7,000 members.

On Thursday Facebook chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, revealed an application that will let users choose between the current terms of use, which were developed by Facebook and did not go through an outside comment period, and the new Facebook principles that incorporate feedback from users and experts.

Facebook has given users until 23 April to cast their votes, which will then be reviewed by an independent auditor.

While 5,664 Facebook users gave a thumbs up signal to the blog posting by Zuckerberg, and showed their regard for being included in the governance proposals, many of the site's users remain indifferent to the news. The majority of the comments left in response to the blog hold no relevance to the posting.

After so much hoo-hah over the February change in conditions and with Facebook's brave new venture to include users in the site's operation, I am hopeful that users will embrace the opportunity that lies ahead, which holds great significance for their content.

Zuckerberg said that the results will be binding if at least 30 per cent of active Facebook users participate. An active user is classed by Facebook as someone who has logged into the site in the past 30 days.

"If these new documents are approved, all future changes to the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities will go through the same process of notice and comment, and may be put to a vote if enough people comment," promised Zuckerberg.

"Even if these new proposed documents are defeated, we will still find ways to involve you in the governance process; however, this involvement will need to be explicitly stated in a future version of the Terms of Use," he added. "We encourage you to participate and make your voice heard."

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