It Always Goes Back to Privacy

 Privacy in Social Media

Privacy and Safety Recap

Over the last two weeks, I have written about privacy and safety. I discussed Acceptable Use Policies in Technology implemented by public libraries to keep their computers and those using them safe. The previous week, I discussed how websites and applications we use daily on computers or devices track our information and sometimes sell it to third parties to create targeted advertising.

Privacy Settings in Social Media

This week I am focusing again on Privacy but not how to protect your password or prevent companies from tracking your information but on the information we provide that can be used to stalk, steal our identities, snoop, and even prevent us from getting a job. 

I read the article 'Hands off my data! 15 default privacy settings you should change right now' by the Washington Post, which provided a guide on navigating the privacy settings of Facebook, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Since the article's creation in 2018, the layout of some of these settings has changed; however, the information remains current and easy to find.

Screenshot of Facebook Settings and Privacy from a mobile device.

 Image created by Jasmine Monroe

I focused on Facebook privacy settings because I use it so frequently. I was shocked to see that I was providing more information than I would like to the public and third parties. Why would I need potential employers to know what kinds of Facebook groups I am a part of?

Example Facebook provides about friends viewing pages you have liked.

Image provided by Jasmine Monroe.

Why I changed my Privacy Settings

Once I reviewed my Facebook privacy settings, I discovered that I was sharing a lot of my personal information, such as friends lists, group lists, and comments on articles (if I commented on articles). I was even sharing what kinds of advertisements I liked. Friends could see that I liked a pair of shoes on Facebook!

I decided to limit the information I share on the platform because I do not think it is necessary for strangers to know my likes and dislikes. I also do not want to accidently like an advertisement and then suddenly those are the only adds I see. Although, I cannot guarantee that my personal information would entirely remain private I do not have to help it along by providing more information than I would like to. 

After Fixing My Privacy Settings: Navigating Digital Tattoos

 

Ever heard the term 'Digital Tattoo'? Think about tattoos in general. They are permanent markings on your body that are very expensive to remove, and more often than not, when they are removed, they leave a scar. A digital tattoo acts like a real tattoo; a posting you make becomes permanent on the internet. Even if you erase it, someone could have taken a screenshot and shared it on their social media. If the post affects someone else or affects you, there could be consequences, similar to the scar left from removing a tattoo. This is why it is important to not only check your privacy settings on social media to avoid your boss seeing pictures of you at a baseball game instead of at home sick, but also to be mindful of what is posted, as it can leave a permanent scar on your reputation. The article '14 Social Media Moves That Could Completely Sabotage Your Career' is an excellent resource that showcases how important it is to be mindful of what we share on social media.

Image provided by the University Fox.

Keep Your Personal Information Private

I briefly wrote about my experience reading the article and reviewing my Facebook privacy settings. After going through each link in the privacy settings, I wondered if there were other steps I missed or if I could do the same with other social media sites. I also wanted to make these changes using my computer instead of my device because I prefer working with a bigger screen. The website 'Protect Your Privacy Online' is a great tool that provides steps on how you can change the privacy settings of various social media accounts.