Facebook has been facing heat lately over a number of privacy issues, from integrating user information with third party websites, to inadvertently exposing chat logs, to drawing ire from consumer groups.

The negative feedback included a recent A1 New York Times story, titled, “Facebook Glitch Brings New Privacy Worries.”

Ethan Beard, director of Facebook’s developer network, dismissed the much of the noise as media chatter.

“There’s been a lot of interest from the media, from organizations and officials. But to be honest, the user response has been overwhelmingly positive,” he told Computerworld, without citing any specific feedback or data from Facebook’s more than 400 million users. Also, Ethan, here’s one big lesson in PR: don’t blame the media.

Certainly, Beard believes in some sort assemblance of privacy. When one visits his Facebook profile, the following message is displayed: “Ethan only shares some of his profile information with everyone. If you know Ethan, send him a message or add him as a friend.”

An interesting tidbit to note in relation to all of this is that Facebook Director of Communications Brandee Barker happened to go on maternity leave this week.

Taking all of this into account, we asked a a few technology PR pros for their opinions on the matter. After the jump are some thoughts from Chaim Haas, Senior Vice President, Technology & Emerging Media at Kaplow Communications. Specifically, Haas lays out three things Facebook could have done better, and three things they should do moving forward, from a PR perspective.

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Kaplow Communications has announced the launch of the agency’s Technology and Emerging Media group, led Chaim Haas, who was recently promoted to Senior Vice President.

Haas confirmed to PRNewser that Skype will be part of the new practice, but declined to comment on other clients by name. “We’re working with a digital media company operating in stealth and a local news organization launching in the near future,” he said.

Haas said the agency is “absolutely” courting new clients to grow the practice. Kaplow CEO Liz Kaplow said that she is “confident that he will lead the growth,” of the new practice.

RELATED: Five Questions with Liz Kaplow, CEO Kaplow Communications

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

SideBAR was packed last night for PRNewser’s latest happy hour party. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and enjoying the drink specials, complimentary appetizers, and of course, the good company.

We chatted with newly appointed dna13 Vice Chairman and former PRNewswire President Dave Armon. “We’ll be expanding in North America this year,” he said. Lane Buschel, President of Morris + King’s digital division SeisMK talked to us about some recent successes with client Glam Media. We asked him if he had any agency news, to which he said, “no.” [Update: It turns out M+K does have some news as they announced a new client, LBi IconNicholson US, in today's Spin the Agencies of Record.] Rob Manfredo let us know he just landed at Beckerman Group this week, an agency that was in the news recently for their acquisition of Wise PR. Matt Caldecutt and Scott Rosenblum of TrylonSMR were in attendance, perhaps toasting to the agency’s new client win: LocateTV. Matt also posted a brief recap on his blog. Alyson Campbell of AMP3 PR looked more at ease after a big week managing client Grooveshark and their deal with record label giant EMI.

Kaplow VP Chaim Haas has been busy keeping things running smoothly on the Skype account and was Tweeting away throughout the night. Waggener Edstrom account manager Jeremy Bridgman was busy mingling and reminded us that he is not on the Microsoft account. PRNewser’s favorite couple, Converseon’s Paull Young and M Booth’s Alyssa Galella were enjoying beer and wine, respectively. Tiffany Winbush let us know that she landed at Bridge Global Strategies as a Senior Account Executive. The Dowd Agency publicist Laura Dempsey told us that she runs the agency’s Twitter feed. They’re up to 450 followers. Not too bad.

The most telling sign was that despite the economy, about 90% of attendees (rough estimate) seemed to be employed. Were there job seekers in attendance? Sure, but they were the minority.

There were also a few journalists that snuck in, and some racy ones at that. Playgirl editor-in-chief Nicole Caldwell told us that she is consulting with the magazine on some projects including the Levi Johnston photo shoot. That’s about as far as we got on that one.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.