Google updates Buzz privacy settings

Google has been forced to change the privacy settings on its new social networking feature, Buzz, after users complained of concerns regarding the tracking of private behaviour.

The internet giant apparently included settings within the feature that would allow any user to view the “friends” list of another user by default. Additionally, users complained there was minimal control over who could follow a Buzz “feed”.

Settings have now been added that allow users to hide the list of users who they are following – a feature demanded by the privacy community.

“We heard from people that the checkbox for choosing not to display this information was too hard to find, and based on this feedback, we’ve changed the notice to make it very clear,” the company said on its blog late last week. “We will roll these changes out to all Gmail users later today.”