Facebook has denied allegations that some users' old private messages are leaking on their accounts' public walls, adding that user privacy remains intact.
The world's largest social network is charged of exposing users' private messages to their Timeline, but it claims those messages have always been public and are merely very old.
"A small number of users raised concerns after what they believed to be private messages appeared on their Timeline," Facebook said in its statement.
"Our engineers investigated these reports and found that the messages were older wall posts that had always been visible on the users' profile pages. Facebook is satisfied that there has been no breach of user privacy."
Users were irritated with their messages suddenly appearing in public, and several speculated that the leak bears on nearly six-year-old content.
It appears these users simply forgot how to use the social network and shocked by their own candidness in the posts.
After launching Timeline, Facebook disputed criticisms that the new feature will dampen users' personal privacy.
"Timeline gives you an easy way to rediscover the things you shared and collect your most important moments," said its spokesperson.
"It also lets you share new experiences, like the music you listen to or the miles you run. Timeline does not change any of your privacy settings."
Image: West McGowan, via Flickr (CC)