The Facebook privacy and copyright hoaxes are a collection of internet hoaxes claiming that posting a status on Facebook constitutes a legal notice protecting one's posts from copyright infringement[1] or providing privacy protection to one's profile information and posted content. The hoax takes the form of a Facebook status that urges others to post the same or a similar status.[2][3]
The hoax first became popular in May and June 2012, but has since re-appeared multiple times, including in November 2012[3] and again in January[1] and September 2015.[4] A number of high-profile individuals such as Rick Perry have fallen victim to the hoax.[5]
The hoaxes are based on several false assumptions, including that Facebook becoming a public company in May 2012 affects how it treats user information,[6] that posting certain content online can protect someone from adverse legal consequences,[7] and that Facebook can significantly change its terms of service agreement without providing notification of those changes.[6]