US News

Facebook unlikes its user-voting policy

Facebook is proposing to end its practice of letting users vote on changes to its privacy policies, though it will continue to let them comment on proposed updates.

The social-media giant said in a blog post Wednesday that its voting mechanism, which is triggered only if enough people comment on proposed changes, has become a system that emphasizes quantity over quality. Users tend to leave one or two-word comments objecting to changes instead of offering criticism.

Facebook said it would continue to inform users of “significant changes” to its privacy policy and its statement of user rights and responsibilities. The company will also keep its seven-day comment period.

“We will also provide additional notification mechanisms, including e-mail, for informing you of those changes,” Elliot Schrage, Facebook’s vice president of communications, public policy and marketing, wrote in the post.