Social network and groups

Facebook has been quietly testing a new Timeline design, the company has confirmed.

The world's largest social network yesterday confirmed to ABC News that it's testing a new Timeline design "with a small percentage of people." The move, the spokesperson told ABC News, is to "make navigating Timeline even easier."

According to ABC News, which tested out the new Timeline, the design includes a tabbed look, allowing users to switch between friends, photos, and a person's About page. In addition, Facebook's current method of displaying Timeline updates by placing them in two … Read more

Google's Blogger platform now comes with a way for writers to link to a friend or company's Google+ page.

When typing out a post in Blogger, users can now input a "+" before a person's or brand's name. Upon choosing the right profile, a link will be displayed in the published post, allowing readers to go to the subject's Google+ page or profile. Hovering the mouse over the link displays a card showing a profile picture and a little more information on the person or brand.

Google+ has been the subject of several updates … Read more

Facebook has started dribbling out the latest changes to its ever-changing privacy controls.

New privacy notifications and menus are now greeting members as they log in to the social network, according to The Next Web. Facebook users in New Zealand seem to be the first on the list to have received these updates.

Based on screenshots published by TNW, members receive a new message alerting them to the changes and explaining how they can block specific users.

A privacy shortcut menu is now part of the main toolbar at the top of your Facebook page. Previously, you'd have to … Read more

Offensive or controversial messages posted to social networks might not lead to prosecution if users show a little remorse, the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service said today.

In a 14-page guide (PDF) published today on prosecuting cases related to social-media use, the CPS said that while some posters might publish "grossly offensive, obscene, or false" information on Twitter or Facebook that they could be prosecuted for, they can escape such issues if they quickly remove it from the site.

"If a message is taken down very swiftly and there is remorse, then it may not be proportionate to have a criminal prosecution," Keir Starmer, director of public prosecutions, said today in an interview with the Guardian. "It is not a defense that you have sobered up, but it is relevant that whatever the material was, it was taken down pretty quickly when the person realized it was inappropriate."… Read more

Apple iOS users can now do even more with Google+ on their mobile devices.

Released yesterday, version 4.1 of Google+ for iOS lets you browse, search for, and join communities. You can find communities devoted to your own interests, read posts from fellow members, and post your own comments.

You can now subscribe to any circle from your iPhone or iPad and receive notifications of updates and other items. Those of you who stage Google+ events can now indicate how many guests you've invited.

The "Find People" feature has been improved so you can more easily … Read more

Facebook is on the hot seat in Germany for requiring users to use their real names instead of pseudonyms.

The data protection agency Unabhaengiges Landeszentrum fuer Datenschutz (ULD) in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein has ordered Facebook to put a halt to its real name policy, citing a German law that allows people to use pseudonyms online. The agency pointed to that law as one that guarantees the "fundamental right to freedom of expression on the Internet."

The ULD's order so far only applies in Schleswig-Holstein, although other German states may follow its lead.

Facebook's … Read more

Instagram, the photo-sharing service that Facebook bought out this year, is changing its privacy policy to allow it to share user data with its new corporate overlord.

The company said today in a blog update that the changes will go into effect on January 16, and won't alter how it handles photo ownership or who is able to see a user's pictures. But the updated privacy policy will allow Instagram to share user information with its corporate overlord, Facebook.

"This means we can do things like fight spam more effectively, detect system and reliability problems more quickly, … Read more

Google+ Vice President of Engineering Dave Besbris has unleashed a new slate of features for the social network's mobile users.

Android users got extra attention this time around, with the addition of improved notices when friends share updates, as well as the ability to edit profiles from phones. In addition, Google is now letting its Android users access Google+ Communities, a feature it unveiled earlier this month that allows people to create either public or private groups around interests.

However, Besbris spent the majority of his time focusing on photos. Android users will now be able to upload photos … Read more

Facebook has offered up the most popular trends across its service in 2012, as well as a new feature that lets users check out their last year.

Facebook's 2012 Trends, which the social network compiles by analyzing the most popular topics across its service this year, doesn't offer up many surprises. This year's top event on Facebook was the U.S. presidential election, followed by Super Bowl XLVI and Whitney Houston's death. Superstorm Sandy and the London Olympics rounded out the top five.

"We Are Young" by Fun was this year's top song, … Read more