Facebook is having some serious problems with public relations. Two weeks ago, a chat in which founder Mark Zuckerberg called trusting users "dumb" came to light, inflaming pre-existing anger over Facebook's recent privacy changes. Today, Zuckerberg takes to the pages of The Washington Post for damage control. He clarifies Facebook's mission and principles and responds to some of the criticism.

THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES OF FACEBOOK

Six years ago, we built Facebook around a few simple ideas. People want to share and stay connected with their friends and the people around them. If we give people control over what they share, they will want to share more. If people share more, the world will become more open and connected. And a world that's more open and connected is a better world.

REGARDING RECENT CONCERNS

Sometimes we move too fast--and after listening to recent concerns, we're responding ... The biggest message we have heard recently is that people want easier control over their information. Simply put, many of you thought our controls were too complex. ... We have heard the feedback. There needs to be a simpler way to control your information.

HOW FACEBOOK IS GOING TO CHANGE

In the coming weeks, we will add privacy controls that are much simpler to use. We will also give you an easy way to turn off all third-party services.

ON HOW PERSONAL INFORMATION IS USED

We have also heard that some people don't understand how their personal information is used and worry that it is shared in ways they don't want. I'd like to clear that up now. ...

Here are the principles under which Facebook operates:

-- You have control over how your information is shared.

-- We do not share your personal information with people or services you don't want.

-- We do not give advertisers access to your personal information.

-- We do not and never will sell any of your information to anyone.

-- We will always keep Facebook a free service for everyone.

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Heather Horn