⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

Facebook Facepalm: In Big Real-Estate Buy, Mark Zuckerberg Seeks Personal Privacy, Then Removes Online Privacy Feature As Facebook makes it more difficult for users to maintain privacy, its co-founder is taking drastic measures to protect his own.

By Jason Fell

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Global News

Two pieces of news have emerged about Facebook and privacy that might have you shaking your head. Or probably even rolling your eyes.

The social network announced yesterday that it was officially removing a feature that allowed users to control whether they could be found when people typed their name into the Facebook search bar. It was called "Who can look up your Timeline by name?" Facebook started removing the feature late last year for people who hadn't already been using it. Now, say sayonara because it's going away for good.

Translation: People using Facebook's Graph Search will be able to locate you no matter what your settings. Users can still control the audience settings for the posts they share but there is now no universal feature that allows users to opt themselves out of search.

Related: New Facebook Privacy Issue Sparks Official FTC Inquiry

Here's the other bit of news: As Facebook removes this privacy feature, co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is after more personal privacy -- for himself. Zuckerberg has reportedly paid $30 million to buy four homes adjacent to his own Palo Alto, Calif., home. He is said to have done this after learning that a developer was going to buy one of the properties, build a large house and then market the property as being next door to Zuckerberg.

To be fair, Zuckerberg isn't the only business leader to make dramatic real estate buys. Google co-founder Larry Page scooped up four adjoining properties to his in Palo Alto in 2009 to build a 6,000-square-foot home. Oracle chief executive Larry Ellison made waves in May when he reportedly bought two dozen beach-side properties in Malibu, Calif.

But as Facebook makes it more difficult for users to maintain privacy, its co-founder is taking drastic measures to protect his own. Ironic timing, isn't it?

Related: Tech Giants Form Another Group to Bring the Internet to the Global Masses

Jason Fell

VP, Native Content

Jason Fell is the VP of Native Content, managing the Entrepreneur Partner Studio, which creates dynamic and compelling content for our partners. He previously served as Entrepreneur.com's managing editor and as the technology editor prior to that.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.