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Facebook Updates Data Use Policy To Give More Info

MENLO PARK (CBS SF) - Facebook is updating its data use policy in an attempt to give users more clarity on how the information they share is used by the company. The move comes a week ahead of its expected initial public offering of stock.

Facebook Inc. said Friday that the changes are in response to an audit by Irish data-protection authorities last year.

As part of the changes, Menlo Park-based Facebook has created a new section of its data use policy—formerly known as privacy policy—to explain how it uses "cookies." Cookies are commonly used to track people's activity around the Web.

Facebook's international headquarters are based in Dublin, Ireland, a member of the European Union. This means the company is required to comply with European data privacy laws.

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