Facebook anounced today that it would change the Terms of Use of the social networking site after being heavily criticized for its policies that granted the site the ability to control their information forever.

The story began when Facebook changed the terms of use of the popular web site in Feb. 4. According to the new policies, Facebook could control its users' information forever, even after they cancel their accounts.

But today Facebook decided to withdraw these changes to its so-called terms of service.

"Over the past couple of days, we received a lot of questions and comments about the changes and what they mean for people and their information. Based on this feedback, we have decided to return to our previous terms of use while we resolve the issues that people have raised," the company?s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, said in a blog post.

The posting said the decision to return to previous terms was "the right thing for now."

Mr. Zuckerberg went on to say that Facebook?s next revision of terms would reflect "a new approach" and "will be a substantial revision from where we are now."

He promised Facebook users "a lot of input in crafting these terms."

"You have my commitment that we'll do all of these things, but in order to do them right it will take a little bit of time. We expect to complete this in the next few weeks,"he said.