Facebook privacy officer-turned-candidate advises ex-employer to be more open

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Former Facebook privacy officer Chris Kelly, now a Democratic candidate for state attorney general, has found himself the victim of some unfortunate timing. As Facebook’s new privacy standards have come under the scrutiny of the federal government, not to mention some angry users, Kelly is trying to distance himself from his former employer. Facebook’s new ‘Instant Personalization’ service, which shares users’ information with third-party websites, has gotten the attention of U.S. senators. And in the world of Internet privacy, that’s never a good thing. Now Kelly seems determined to limit the effect of any potential Facebook blowback on his campaign. ‘Facebook’s recent changes to its privacy policy and practices with regard to data sharing occurred after I left the company,’ he said in a statement Wednesday. ‘I strongly encourage Facebook to structure all its programs to allow Facebook users to give permission before their information is shared with third parties.’

-- Anthony York in Sacramento