Facebook users’ profile data to be portable

The popular online social hangout Facebook Inc. says it is setting up a new system that will allow its 70 million users to take their personal profiles with them as they surf other websites.

Users will be able to automatically copy pictures, personal information and other customized applications established on Facebook to other websites without extra effort once the changes that were announced Friday take effect.

The privacy settings attached to a person’s Facebook profile will remain in effect at external websites.

Palo Alto-based Facebook unveiled its intention to extend its reach into other websites the day after its larger rival, Beverly Hills-based MySpace Inc., announced a similar plan.

Both social networks say it will be several more weeks before their users’ data become portable.