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Have YOU been a victim of the latest Facebook hoax? Message that says site is about to make your data public is fake

The hoax involves users sharing a pre-written status update
Status mentions radical changes to the site's privacy policy
One version says members can pay a fee to make their data private
Facebook said the message is a hoax and should be disregarded

By Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:34 EST, 29 September 2015 | Updated: 17:11 EST, 29 September 2015

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You may have noticed an old hoax making the rounds on Facebook.

It involves users sharing a pre-written status update that suggests the site is about to make their private information public.

Given its popularity, Facebook has been forced to issue a statement declaring that this is not the case.

The hoax involves users sharing a pre-written status update that suggests Facebook is about to make their private information public. Facebook has issued the above statement

One version of the scam reads: 'Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version.

'If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates.'

Another one claims that members can pay a fee to have their information made private:

'Now it's official! It has been published in the media. Facebook has just released the entry price: £5.99 to keep the subscription of your status to be set to 'private'.'

In response, Facebook wrote Monday: 'While there may be water on Mars, don't believe everything you read on the internet today. Facebook is free and it always will be.

Facebook's own terms of service say that users own all of the content and information they post on Facebook

WHAT THE HOAX SAYS

One version reads:

'Better safe then sorry! Now it's official! It has been published in the media. Facebook has just released the entry price: $5.99 to keep the subscription of your status to be set to "private".

'If you paste this message on your page, it will be offered free (paste not share) if not tomorrow, all your posts can become public. Even the messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed.

'After all, it does not cost anything for a simple copy and paste. Channel 13 News was just talking about this change in Facebook's privacy policy.

'As of September 26th , 2015 at 01:16 a.m. Eastern standard time, I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future.

'By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents.

'The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute).'

'And the thing about copying and pasting a legal notice is just a hoax. Stay safe out there Earthlings.'

Facebook's terms of service say that users own all of the content and information they post on Facebook.

They can control how it is shared through their privacy and application settings.

This isn't the first time such a hoax has surfaced on Facebook. A version of this message first appeared on the social media site in 2013.

The latest scam plays on widespread fears that Facebook is misusing user data.

Last week, the company was accused of spying on users in a fashion similar to methods used by America's National Security Agency (NSA).

The comments were made by the Belgian Privacy Commission who brought a lawsuit against the social network, after accusing it of 'trampling all over European privacy laws'.

Frederic Debussere, a lawyer representing the privacy commission, made the comparison with the NSA during opening statements.

'When it became known that the NSA was spying on people all around the world, everybody was upset.

'This actor [Facebook] is doing the very same thing, albeit in a different way.'

The data protection authority, which accuses Facebook of tracking non-users and those who have logged out of their accounts for advertising purposes, is threatening Facebook with a fine of 250,000 euros each day.

In May, the commission accused the social network of tracking people online without consent while dodging questions from national regulators.

The commission published a report analysing changes the company made to its privacy policy in January and said: 'Facebook tramples on European and Belgian privacy laws'.

The data protection authority has accused Facebook, whose CEO is Mark Zuckerberg (pictured), of tracking non-users and those who have logged out of their accounts for advertising purpose