Facebook Private Messages Made Public and HOW TO FIX YOURS

We all see all sorts of warnings about what Facebook is or is not doing that are actually untrue. Facebook privacy is always a big issue. When the latest started people said it was untrue, but then people started actually finding it was real. Some sort of Facebook mishap has caused some past PRIVATE MESSAGES on Facebook to end up in your PUBLIC TIMELINE available for anyone to see. Now granted they were not right at the top of your page, but they are still there and many people have some very interesting conversations in private messages that they would not want others to see.

What has really surprised me about this was how little I saw of people talking about it. Within my circle of blogging friends I saw discussion, but not much outside of them. This is one of those things that you can easily fix and share the how-to with friends and family. It takes maybe 5 minutes of your time to complete the steps.

CoolMomTech has outlined how to fix this in easy step-by-step instructions (thank you Type-A Mom for pointing her post out). Just take your time to read how and it will be over before you know it! Make sure to share with your friends and family also because even if you correct it on your account, your private messages with them may still show up on their account if they do not fix this also.

Tagged as: facebook, social media, social networks, tutorial

http://twitter.com/rkosully Robin

Are you KIDDING me? Facebook drives me up the wall sometimes. I am really not into over-sharing of any type…and especially not private messages. Thank you for the alert!
- http://twitter.com/rkosully Robin
  
  I just fixed my timeline. It was indeed necessary to fix it. Thank you!
  - http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
    
    glad that it was helpful info!
http://www.theconfidentmom.com theconfidentmom

I did this – crazy that it can slip by and no one knows til it is too late!
Tiffany Winner

i haven’t seen any of this showing up on my wall or friends’ walls so far
thismomwins@gmail.com
- http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
  
  Realize that this is not going to just jump onto the screen – it is something people would have to look for OR that robots may scan for.
mefink

This is the first time I heard of this. I don’t do facebook but my daughters do so I will have to let them know. Thank you.
- http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
  
  Yes, make sure to let our kids know too!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1467746158 Mia Dentice

Thank YOU for posting!
- http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
  
  You’re welcome!
tannawings

Saw this the other day and although I dont PM much at all, I am hoping I did it right!
- http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
  
  I’m sure you did fine – you are much more tech savvy than you give yourself credit for
Julie

I read this on cool mom tech also. This happened to me, in the years 2009 and 2010. I think people don’t realize they are there because it looks like a regular wall post, and it’s only what your friend wrote not your response back. (Although, your response back could be on the friend’s timeline) I shared on my fb wall and hardly anyone believes me because snopes says its not true. It really did happen though, and I can still see private messages on my friends timelines. Luckily nothing bad!
- http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
  
  Thanks for adding the info about it being one sided when you see it
Shannon Whitfield

I was wondering if this was true or not.. I will be immediately checking my wall! Thank you for showing us how to fix it!!
- http://www.RobynsOnlineWorld.com/ Robyn’s Online World
  
  Happy to share!
GlArthy

Any action to delete or hide the old posts take way too long and the two or three steps to get there …. keep you busy.
http://www.facebook.com/brutus.duffy Brutus Duffy

Thanks for posting this-big help!
Wanda McHenry

When I clicked on 2010 there was nothing that said anything about # of friend, etc. So I guess I don’t need worry? Or am I not seeing that part?
http://www.redneckrosie.com/ Rose

UGH I just spent a huge amount of time on my wall. Thanks for sharing the info. and link. Just ugh again!
Vicki Bensinger

Thanks for sharing this.
Jennifer Peaslee

I read about that too and checked my FB page and didn’t find anything…I guess when it didn’t happen to you, you start to think it’s just a hoax. Do you know anyone who had this happen to them? I don’t, but I don’t think it’s a hoax either. jenniferpeaslee at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/St4ceyNicole Stacey Nicole

Wow I heard nothing About this. Thank you so much for posting how to fix it. Private messages should stay private haha. That is a BIG mishap.
Email – Stacey.brickner6@gmail.com
MichelleS

That’s a big mistake on their part! I understand there are going to be glitches, I just hope it’s UNintended. I doubt they would oust people’s messages on purpose, but the other stuff I wouldn’t put past them.
Margie

Very interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

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