Facebook Comes Up With a New Data Access Plan

Facebook on Wednesday announced an update to its policies for restricting data access on its platform. The move came just two weeks after the company said it would take a "hard look" at the information apps could use when connected to Facebook.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg also discussed some of Facebook's new efforts to shore up user privacy protections in a 45-minute long Q&A with members of the media on Wednesday.

Facebook will implement nine changes, which will allow users to set privacy levels and limit automatic data sharing. The changes will affect the Events API, Groups API, Pages API, Facebook Login, Instagram Platform API, Search and Account Recovery, Call and Text History, Data Providers and Partner Categories, and App Controls.

The Events API no longer will allow apps to access the guest list or posts on the event wall. Only Facebook-approved apps that agree to strict requirements will be allowed to connect with the Events API.

The Pages API will no longer allow apps to read posts or comments from any page, and all future app access will have to be approved by Facebook.

Facebook also has made big changes to the login. It will require approval of all apps that request access to information such as check-ins, likes, photos, videos, events and groups.

The Search and Account Recovery features that allowed searches using phone numbers have been disabled to avoid abuse.