Popular social networking site Facebook has been condemned by Canada's privacy watchdog for keeping users' personal information even after its members close their accounts.

Subsequent to a 13-month inquiry, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said that Facebook was going against Canada's privacy legislation obligations.

The Privacy Commissioner ruled that the company should become more transparent by slackening controls to facilitate customers to take decision regarding how much information they wish to share and which people can access their information.

The inquiry into the matter was launched in May 2008 to verify a complaint from the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.

Commenting on the ruling, CIPPIC said, "This provides a very clear framework on how social networking should be done with respect to privacy laws in Canada."

Actually Facebook, which has emerged as the largest social network with 250 million unique users, has been pushing its users to share personal information with everyone on the web.

The Privacy Commissioner of Canada has asked Facebook to prohibit entrée to the personal information of those who do not add an application for the same.

The commission also wants Facebook to erase information of users who have closed their accounts.