Facebook has started rolling out "simplified" privacy settings to appease concerns over safeguarding users' information.

The company's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the alterations would make it easier for users to control how much information they were sharing. He admitted the privacy settings had become too complex and said the new system would allow users to change their settings in "just one click" using a simple grid.

Facebook director of policy in Europe Richard Allan is also confident that the changes the company has made will address people's concerns: "We are very confident that this is a fantastic package for users; that we have got it right; that people will feel confident returning to Facebook on a regular basis.

"We hope that with these new privacy settings that confidence will grow."

The site, which has more than 400 million users worldwide, has faced mounting criticism from members, online security experts and the European Commission over changes making it more difficult to keep personal information private.