Just about every time we join a social network, shop online or use an interactive website, we are asked to submit to a "privacy policy" or "terms of use". These are policies stating that our personal information WILL be collected and distributed. If we don't like how the information is used, that's too bad. The website accepts no responsibility. Our options are to either accept the "privacy policy" or not use the website. Many (if not most) of us don't even read the policies before we agree to them. After all, they're usually very lengthy and written in legalese... and we just want to get on to the website. So we enable the use of cookies and provide whatever information that is asked... and we are off to our new Internet experience.
Although I'm mildly concerned about this "invisible" information floating around the net, I'm more vigilant about overtly and voluntarily posting personal information and photos on social networks, etc. We often post info and pics that are intended for our friends, family or other specific audience that can be viewed by anyone. I think it's more likely that this type of information would be used for nefarious purposes.
It's not possible to use the Internet to its fullest extent while maintaining total privacy. We need to use savvy and discretion to minimize the potential for damage.
Pretty much every social site I've joined was because I was talked into it. I'm not a fan of giving out my personal information. Not for myself but for the protection of my family. It always makes me nervous because you can't really be sure where your info is going.
ReplyDeleteDitto to everything you said. I joined Facebook this week just because...
ReplyDeleteA) My friends keep nagging me to do it.
B) It will ultimately be a necessity, even for business and other practical reasons.
C) I don't want to be left out, or fall behind on technology.
It had nothing to do with an actual desire to socialize with others through my computer.
Mike and Nate, Ditto and ditto.
ReplyDeleteI have a FaceBook account for networking with co-workers only. So far, so good.
However, I too was talked into joining a social network once and I will never let people talk me into it again. I will simply refuse. If someone gets unreasonably upset because you did not join the social network they wanted you to that pretty much confirms your reason for not doing it in the first place!
Oops. Correction on the last post -- I meant Mike and Chris. Sorry Chris -- have you ever had one of those days?
ReplyDeleteI have more of "those days" than normal ones. :)
ReplyDelete