Zuckerberg sweats privacy criticism

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has again defended his company's privacy policies, this time with added sweat.

The perspiring boy-droid took to the stage at the D8 conference yesterday, where observers said he looked ill at ease facing questions about Facebook's latest PR wobble.

According to the New York Times, Zuckerberg delivered a rambling, uncomfortable performance as he sought to explain how everyone had the wrong end of the stick about his views on personal information. Facebook had been victim of "misperceptions", he said.

"There have been misperceptions that we are trying to make all information open. That's completely false," Zuckerberg insisted in one uncharacteristically concise response.

Last week Facebook announced it would simplify its privacy controls in the face of mounting criticism. It did not however roll back changes that had increased the amount of users' information published to their friends.

Under questioning and hot stage lights Zuckerberg was forced to take off his trademark hoodie. The audience applauded when his interviewer Walt Mossberg changed the subject. It's unclear whether they acted out of sympathy for the sweaty billionaire or concern for their own electrical safety. ®