Facebook says post about privacy violation a hoax

A Facebook post has been going viral lately for all the wrong reasons. The post, which is being copied and pasted, not shared, on Facebook, tells people that soon all their private information along with photos and other content will go public on the internet.

Facebook, has finally issued a statement calling the post fake. It has asked its users to not to believe the spam post and that users "own all of the content and information you post on Facebook".

"You may have seen a post telling you to copy and paste a notice to retain control over things you share on Facebook,'' the statement reads. ''Don't believe it. Our terms say clearly: You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it's shared through your privacy and application setting. That's how it works, and this hasn't changed.

''You can visit Privacy Basics to find out more about who sees what you share on Facebok and other topics.

''You can also read the Data Policy to find out what information we collect and how it is used and shared. We want you to be informed and in control of your experience on Facebook."

The spam post, which started showing up on users' timelines, claimed it will protect users' privacy and keep the content safe from Facebook.

It is not the first time a hoax has gone post went viral on Facebook. The social media company last year introduced a feature where users could flag a story as "purposefully fake or deceitful news". However, Facebook still doesn't have a system in place which can identify such a post on its own.

The latest spam warned users that Facebook might use the user's photos, post, information, from both past and present and said that by putting the post on the timeline one is denying Facebook permission to do any of the above said things.

The full post reads: "I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute).

"NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. copy and paste."