CINCINNATI -- Big changes are looming for one of the world's favorite social networking sites.

Facebook.com founder Mark Zuckerberg sent a letter to users that the Web site would soon be changing some of its major network settings.

Zuckerberg said that the site had grown beyond its original parameters of allowing users to join in-site networks arranged by school, region, company or even country.

Facebook claims that since more than 350 million people worldwide -- according to its figures -- use the service, it no longer makes sense to limit the network to the original settings.

Zuckerberg said that the move will also help ensure individual users' safety. People will be allowed to limit the content on their pages to be seen by "friends, "friends of friends" and "everyone."

Facebook had recently come under fire from legions of users over a change in its terms of use. The outrage grew to such an extent that Zuckerberg returned the copyright status of users' content to its original status.

Those terms of service were changed yet again when Zuckerberg decided that Facebook would have broad use to use the content, but not own it outright. However, users would be able to opt out of allowing Facebook to use their content if chose to.

The rights to the content would also follow the user if the user decided to delete the account, meaning that Facebook wouldn't be able to use the content anymore.

The Web site ran into similar qualms from users when it tried to start a data-mining and advertising initiative called "Beacon." It was targeted in a lawsuit, and eventually shut down.

The Facebook creator said privacy controls will be simpler for people to use with the new changes, and allow users greater control over who gets to see their profile and content.

Zuckerberg said that in the coming weeks, users will be asked to review their privacy settings in accordance with the changes made to the site.