Earlier today, the college social networking site, Facebook, unlocked its doors and is now open to the public. Now anyone of any age and status can join the site. This is a big change from the previous requirement of enrollment in a college or select company.

While some Facebook regulars are beginning to protest this change, I’m welcoming it. Nothing has changed from a college user’s standpoint. Profiles still require approval before people can view it, and Facebook even gives you the option to make yourself completely hidden from the outside world.

I don’t see a reason to complain; Facebook has been doing a great job with users’ privacy. The majority of your information is hidden by default, and nothing other than your email address is required. What you make available is up to you. Facebook is not exposing user data, the users are.

So, to the people who are worried about this change and their privacy, stop worrying. If anything, more of your friends who couldn’t join Facebook before will now be on it. That means you can keep in touch with even more people, which is exactly what Facebook was designed for. I look forward to talking to my non-college friends, and I hope you do to.