Facebook has launched Facebook Connect, a system that enables members to connect their profile data and authentication credentials to external Web sites. You can expect the technology to be available over the next few weeks.

Now you can take your Facebook identity with you as you cruise the Web, sharing photos, profile information and friend data.

After the Beacon advertising debacle, Facebook will be extra cautious with security, ensuring that their members’ stuff stays safe.

According to Dave Morin, Facebook developer:

“These are just a few steps Facebook is taking to make the vision of data portability a reality for users worldwide.  We believe the next evolution of data portability is about much more than data. It’s about giving users the ability to take their identity and friends with them around the Web, while being able to trust that their information is always up to date and always protected by their privacy settings.”

No word yet on who will partner with Facebook, but some believe Digg will be part of the effort out of the gate.

Read more here.

Originally posted on May 12, 2008 @ 6:51 am