In a society that wants to be more social and asking for ways to make the world a smaller place, we haven’t taken much time to ensure our privacy.
We are indulging in social networks such as Twitter, Stumbleupon, YouTube, Facebook and many other social sites that have been provided to us for free.
Free? Maybe that is where the answer lies and we have mistaken that free is never really the case, like the old saying goes, “Nothing in Life is free”. With every action there is a reaction in the waiting and we are slowly starting to scratch our heads with curiosity of why our time spent on the web is not so private.
Sharing Personal Information Publicly IS No Longer Personal
In the days when the Internet first began, there was fear of it; fear of talking to people and putting any type of personal information – was something we were not willing to do. It was the case of common sense, however, with the Internet’s growth creating easy access from the comforts of home such as; online shopping, gaming, and especially social media. We seemed to have left our common sense to the waste side and now are furious that our personal information that we publicly share is no longer personal. With that said, today we should not fear, but instead make sure we continuously stay educated.
As the most popular social network continues to break down boundaries that is unforeseen to us. Facebook has challenged us with not providing information up front or as easily accessible as we would hope for them to do. With insurmountable discussion’s questioning its methods and scaring many who use the social network to consider leaving the site. Is it really Facebook’s fault?
But it’s FREE
Facebook has nearly 500 million active users on a free site where we have the ability to chat with friends, family and play games. Join pages, create pages, and enjoy a variety of applications. We can share videos, pictures, and links and the list goes on. All of this and more are available to us without paying so much as our internet bill every month.
Facebook is foremost a business and in order to keep it free for us, they must find a way to monetize. They use third-party sites to create advertising on Facebook. Those third party sites pull information from your profile and pages to make the ads you see more relevant to your location and interests.
Facebook has made a statement that they want to make the Internet’s default to be social, isn’t that what we want? As Facebook continues to step outside of its box they will continue to utilize your information to monetize the site. They are looking for ways to make the advertisements and websites to be more social by using developer’s to create what we as a society have asked for.
Yes, Facebook could make it easier on us if every change they made that affected our privacy was announced to us and for some, given the ability to opt out if they chose to. However, how will it stay free, if we all opted out? It wouldn’t. The reality is, we need to use our own common sense when using any platform on the Internet and not share anything that you don’t want seen or used since it is not only a Facebook issue, it’s an Internet issue. If you want to leave Facebook, that is your choice, although, missing out on the one site that is most likely going to change the way we communicate on the Internet forever, may not be the best of decisions.
The responsibility is up to you to continue staying in the know of what is going on with whatever platform you use and to do your best to inform others. We cannot expect a free site to tell us what we can do to help demonetize them. This doesn’t mean that we have to agree with the workings of Facebook’s choices, nor do we have to like it. It is what it is, and we shouldn’t act so surprised or appalled that we cannot have our cake and eat it too, for the reality is, the more Social we get, the less private we’ll become.
With that said, here are some steps you can do to stay in the know about Facebook and your Privacy:
Do you think Facebook has crossed the line or are we overreacting?
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Read more News about Facebook on Soshable.
About Erin Ryan
Has Facebook crossed the line? Yes, to a degree, because it was lying about how it was acting. Are we overreacting? Yes, to a degree, because most people didn’t pay enough attention to their privacy settings or weren’t careful about the information they put online.
Facebook is at fault for certain things, but I always go by the assumption that anything I put online is public. If I don’t want the world to know, I don’t put it online.
I you want to keep private you don’t go social
People who do add themselves to social projects have to consider that their profile will be for example aggregated by web robots, search engines and their catalogs.
Hey AmyV
I agree with you, I think all in all it really comes down to using our common sense when online as much as we do offline. Facebook should have been more open and seem to be trying to now work on its privacy issues. The users are in need of working on staying as informed no matter the site. Thanks for your comment Amy, it’s greatly appreciated!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Hi Maciej Stachowiak
Very good point, using a social platform is like going to a party and thinking that you’ll go unnoticed. However, it’s not just the social platform’s, it is the Internet in general that is not private, so we just need to be careful of what type of information we put on the web. Thanks for the comment Maciej!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Great post Erin. We all have a responsibility to protect our personal information to the point we feel comfortable being exposed. This goes for offline as well as online.
Cheers,
Kevin
Socializing with different kinds of people especially strangers is really not a thing to do. But if websites such as Facebook will allow you to do that it is true that your privacy is not safe. That is why people should take extra precaution when it comes to talking to strangers especially in social media sites. This article serves as a warning to people who enjoy’s using social media sites. I hope that a lot of people will have a chance to read this article.
Thank you!
Alex
No such thing as a free lunch! Economics 101! I do fee that facebook is stepping out of bounds a bit but I also think, like you mentioned, that as end users, we have a responsibility to protect our information by staying up to date. Like many have commented above, social media is great but you have to be smart about it and use caution.
Thank you for your article!
Danny
I agree, internet privacy as a whole (not just Facebook) is certainly about being savvy and using common sense. Taking responsibility for your own actions.
You hear it being said over and over but there is such a simple policy to follow “if you don’t want anyone to read it or see it….don’t put it up there”. We are the ones who make the choice to particular social networks, it is up to us to make sure that wherever possible we know how they work – particularly with regard to privacy settings, take the time to set it up properly, and check on it every now and then. If you don’t agree with how a particular site is set up, or have issues with their privacy settings, reconsider signing up.
Good Article!
Hi Kevin!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. You are right, it really does come down to good ol’ common sense, doesn’t it?
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Hi there AWESOME Alex Posicionamiento Web!
I appreciate that you found value in this post. I think a lot of time is spent writing about how it is “everybody else’s fault” when it comes to social media. I think it is super important to take responsibility for who we talk to online as well as stay in the know about the social platform we use. Thanks for your comment, it is truly appreciated
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Hey there Danny G
Good to see you here again! Thanks for posting your thoughts. I agree that Facebook needed to step up in regards to providing an easier way for its users to stay informed about their privacy and since this post they have which is AWESOME! I also agree that even though it is provided it is the responsibility of the user. You’re super cool Danny, until we meet again!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Hey Jo Evans!
Could not have said it better myself. We always need to think of the Internet as a place where we can be seen at all times, for someone is ALWAYS watching. It’s kinda like a secret, if you don’t want it told than don’t tell it. This same type of advice can be used when utilizing social networks. Thank you for commenting and am so happy you enjoyed the article. That truly means a lot. Have a great day
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Nice Post! Thanks for flaunt.
Regardless of the privacy options available people just love to put there personal life out there. The news social networking site Foursquare allows you to check in to all the places you visit such as your local supermarket, post office, pub etc. If you check in to the same place more times than anyone else you become the Mayor of it. It’s supposed to be so you can hook up with friends when you’re in their area but it sounds like a stalkers paradise!
I agree the more social we get, the less private we’ll become. It’s so much true.
Facebook is somewhat to blame due to the fact they were not upfront, but it is our responsible to manage what we put online. Putting information that is too personal to begin with is always a bad idea.
It’s not only Facebook to be blamed of but the Internet itself. Did you ever try to google your name? Well on top of the page is your facebook account. Then, on succeeding lists are the content of your email accounts, such as yahoo, gmail, hotmail, etc. There is no such thing as “privacy” anymore when it comes to internet. That is why it is called World Wide Web, everything is connected and it is inevitable to stay private. If you don’t want your profile to be exposed, then don’t use the internet.
Hi Innovative Marketing Strategy
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Hey There Sarahonmedia!
I completely agree, location-based apps and websites scare me more than Facebook. LOL Thanks for the comment!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
iPhone Applications
I am glad you agree! Thanks for the comment
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Mulyoo!
I do see your point and agree that Facebook could have been more upfront and I am glad that they are now taking their users in to consideration with the new update on their Privacy Policy. Although, I can see why they may have not wanted us to be so aware. Facebook is a business that we get to use for free, so would we rather pay with information or dollar signs?
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Alex Tagus!!!
That is completely true, it is not just Social Media, it is the Internet. Yes, there are Google tails and other sorts of places on the web that take your information. We just need to proceed with caution minus losing the joy of the webisphere.
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Very good point! It’s going to be interesting to see what Facebook does next!
I agree too, it is common sense but also good judgment to not say or post something on any social network that could cost you later. There are countless stories of especially college students or coworkers who have posted comments and content that have either precluded them from getting a job or got them fired. And erasing your digital footprint is not easy to do after the fact.
adsense alternatives,
Thanks and it most certainly will be!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Doug Betensky, Upside Business Consultants
Thanks and I agree people really need to think long term and stay in control of their inhibitions while online. We just need to keep hold of our common sense. Thanks for the comment!
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Common sense tells me that information that I don’t want to be public does not need to be put on public social sites.
If you put information on these sites that you don’t want public and then it gets used in ways that you didn’t approve of, it is your fault. I think if we all use stay wise to what we are doing, you shouldn’t run into any issues.
Now granted, Facebook did in fact abuse their privacy policies but even before that happened, you should have been aware of what was out there for them to abuse to begin with.
–Cory
Facebook has started like guiding us on what to do. But one has to be aware of what to make public and what not.
Everyone has a choice and agree with sarahonmedia who said people just love to put there personal life out there.
I really like social media sites like Facebook but i take precaution when writing personal information. i don´t share my phone number for example! But there are many people who do share private things shuch as their e-mail, phone numbers and even their address!
Hey Cory Perry
I agree with you. Recently Facebook has also taken its users seriously and as of this week they have begun rolling out a feature that you can locate under your “Account Settings” to download all of your information to a zip file and FB will e-mail this info to you. They also have now an application dashboard so you can now see what websites and apps you are connected to and the info they’ve used.
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
Hi Internet Marketing agency, Sandra ley de atraccion and Pantech Phones thank you for your thoughts on the issue and you all bring up valid and useful information. Thanks
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
http://twitter.com/TheErinRyan – Let’s Connect!
Your blog seems very interesting. This article is amazing. I will visit your blog often ..
Hi Aumentar Visitas
Thanks, we all work hard to ensure quality content. I am glad you enjoyed the article and look forward to your returns.
Socially Yours,
Erin Ryan
http:://twitter.com/TheErinRyan
Socializing with different kinds of people from other countries and cultures has some perils.
This is one of the reason I do not use to frequent these sites too much.
Though people take extra prevention respect to keep his privacy.
I hope a lot of people could read the advices of this article.
Thanks for shaing!!
Regards!!
Free ??? nothing is free in this life, they have all information about you, take care whit the social media
Very nice post
Take care
Pablo
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Geovanna
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Harold
Never accept any strangers’ friend request whether he/she is looking attractive. Because it is quite possible that the request you are going to accept, be fake. When you say yes, that obviously gives the permission to that person to see your personal information e.g. email id, phone no, pictures etc. So be careful.
Erin, thanks a lot for this article!
Regards,
Juan
One of the best articles you have read, thank you for this great contribution to my knowledge.
Greetings
kevin
Honestly, I consider it very inspiring.
Long ago he saw no such clarity.
But I am sorry not to agree with your position about privacy.
But I for one find that the best decisions come from applied common sense not to interfere in matters outside our area of expertise.
I appreciate your inspiration.
See ya.
L.
We have to be a little careful with social networking so we know who to accept and share our information, since we can go very wrong if someone has unwanted confidential information,
Great post I hope people read it
Mark
Thanks for every other excellent article. The place else may anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the look for such info.
Hello. I agree with the more social we get, the less private we’ll become. It’s much true.
Thanks for sharing. Xime.
It is true what says the article but to the moment to make ourselves more social the people lose his privacy of some things, which can be in opposition to some persons who need his privacy.
We all need our privacy though we are too social.
As I’ve always said if you want to remain anonymous you do not have facebook or twitter, and do not register with any social network, but the truth is that I personally love to stay online and I found it very interesting since this article I have set my privacy in social network. Thank you.
Very interesting article, which makes us think if we are doing well providing our information on these social sites. I think that in the future these sites will have to be more secure sites to continue existing.
Fantastic post!! I love this site. Excellent work.