As Facebook has continued its rapid rise, one thing it has not been able to shake off are questions over how it deals with user data and privacy. That issue is getting revisited again today in Europe, where a consumer rights group says that Facebook has missed a deadline, set by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner, to make a number of changes to comply with European data protection laws. That group is now encouraging consumers to the the fight to the next level and make formal complaints to the European Commission over the issue.

Facebook is by far the biggest social network with over 845 million registered users, and counting. It's also preparing for its big public stock offering which could value the company at $100 billion or more. But heavy Facebook users also know that its search features are very poor compared to engines like Google and Bing.

Now it appears that Facebook is working harder to improve its search features which in the end could push the company into greater competition with Google. Businessweek.com reports, via unnamed sources, that Facebook currently has 24 team members, lead by a former Google employee, that is aiming to create a better search engine for the service.

At a private meeting last night in New York City, Facebook revealed to trusted partners a plan to restructure the 3-year-old Preferred Developer Consultant program around 4 areas: Page management, Ads API, Insights, and custom app development. My sources tell me Facebook will be granting approval badges in the 4 verticals, the latter two of which have never had their own distinctions.

This new unified API partner program will launch soon to replace the PDC and Ads API partner programs, and make it easier for brands to discover Facebook marketing services vendors.

The overhaul is designed to encourage more companies to formally offer Facebook marketing services, and get brands spending more on Facebook faster.