Facebook beefs up privacy and security in major update

Facebook has made big changes to its security and privacy features to stop apps from nabbing your personal information without you realising it.

A new feature called Anonymous Login allows people to login to apps without sharing personal information from Facebook. A new Facebook Login for apps will also let users decide exactly what information they share. The social network said the changes would “put power and control squarely in people’s hands”.

Anonymous Login lets people login to apps without sharing information in their profile. Facebook said this would allow people to try out apps without having to hand over all their details. While Facebook won’t share any information with the app, the app also won’t be able to post to Facebook.

Anonymous Login is currently being tested with selected developers with it being opened up to everyone in the coming months.

Facebook Login, the service used to login to other sites using your Facebook details, is also being updated. The new Login will let people select exactly what data they share with an app or website when logging in. For example, if you want to share your email address and not your birthday then you can.

The new Facebook Login also won’t post to Facebook without permission. Facebook also said it would be reviewing new apps to make sure they adhere to strict guidelines. The new Login will be introduced in the next few months.

A new app control panel is also coming soon, making it easier to understand what apps are connected to Facebook and what information they have access to.