A high-profile and widely respected security expert is not pleased with Facebook.  Indeed, Bruce Schneier said earlier today at the RSA Security Europe Conference that he believes Facebook is the worst social network when it comes to respecting individuals’ privacy.

Some people have chalked Facebook’s privacy problems up to naivete.  Others seem to have interpreted them as a personal insult from Mark Zuckerberg.  Schneier took what might be considered the middle ground.

According to John Leyden, the security guru just reasoned, "Less privacy makes a better market for social networks.  Facebook is the worst offender – not because it’s evil but because its market is selling user data to its commercial partners."

Schneier also said, "Don’t fool yourself that use are the user of social networks – you are the product."

Then he got tougher on Facebook and social networks in general, adding, "Individuals should have the rights to see, challenge, delete and control their private information."  Plus, "Legislation without enforcement, at an effective level, may as well not exist."

If it helps, Facebook at least introduced some new security features this afternoon, although they address different issues than the ones Schneier raised.