In an attempt to perk up its security and privacy, the popular social networking site Facebook is releasing a beta version of its Publisher feature, so as to give users more control to be selective about who sees their specific updates. Some of the Facebook users are already testing the beta version, by configuring their Publisher settings for who can view certain information.

Through the new privacy control capability of the Publisher, users can choose the requisite settings for displaying certain content either only to their confirmed friends, and "Friends of Friends" or to everyone.

By updating its privacy features, Facebook intends addressing user complaints about lack of control on who can view their status updates. This will ease the situation for users who can keep simultaneous contacts with their friends and not-so-close associates, and maintain their privacy pertaining to the photos, updates and information.

The streamlining of the Publisher Privacy Control feature will not only restrict the amount of public information out on the network, but also make phishing attacks through the social networking site difficult.

Elaborating on the enhanced privacy controls, Facebook employee Olaoluwa Okelola said in a blog post: "If you have access to this beta version, every time you publish content into your stream you are able to control which people can access that specific piece of content."