Source: Cortright, D 2009.Many of Facebook and Twitter users are not fully aware of their privacy settings. Many users are sharing information every second, through pictures, tweets, postings, and status updates. Through a social media research at Microsoft Research New England, Danah Boyn, shows that many people only feel like their privacy has been violated when they have lost all control of their personal information.
Source:Flickr, 2008.According to Facebook TRUSTe (2010), Facebook creates privacy policies and guidelines to help protect many users information.I personally don't think the privacy given to the users is very sufficient. This definitely doesn't do justice because although many feel this same way, they continue to use the social networking sites. Facebook seems to keep making adjustments to help to improve and deal with the privacy issues.
source: Flickr, 2011These improvements allow users to either allow their information to be viewed by others or in a more secure aspect and only visible to a select group. Facebook predicted that the number of users would decrease, but it seems as if it was otherwise, numbers increased. I believe that the issue of privacy comes from the users lack of knowledge of the people who use these networking sites. Some of them do not even notice or care about the privacy issues. Many of the Facebook users are publishing their comments, ideas, and posting pictures without checking to see if they have establish the privacy settings that they desire. When users found out their information can be found anywhere on the internet, they started to worry. So, I think, we cannot just get upset with these social networking sites if we have never done anything to help make our sites more secure. All in all, the privacy policy is already provided. It is now dependent on the users whether want to keep their information protected or shared.
Refrences:
Cortright, D 2009, Cleansing my Facebook Profile, http://www.kpao.org/blog/2009/12/09/facebook-privacy.jpg
Facebook TRUSTe (2010), Facebook’s Privacy Policy, viewed 15 June 2010, http://www.facebook.com/policy.php.
Flicker 2007, Facebook Privacy Setting, http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/795842899_5e126db289.jpg
Franzese, Greg 2009, Facebook Privacy, viewed 16 June 2010, http://www.reputationdefenderblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/facebook-privacy.jpg
I completely agree. Facebook has made it easier than ever for people to adjust their privacy settings. In addition, users are required to acknowledge they have read through the privacy policy before they sign up for a Facebook account. Users need to educate themselves with the materials provided before they blame providers.
ReplyDeleteI'm completely on board with you! Facebook is doing what they said they would do. Its not right to blame them for privacy issues that already have a remedy. Social network sites can only do so much. Before you know it, people will start complaining that Facebook is too controlling.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is that only now that things are getting bad are people really starting to worry about their privacy. Most people that have been stealing information know more about computers and bypassing basic security systems than the average person. People on Facebook and Twitter want their information to be private but still want to share every aspect of their life with zero regard of it. People need to wake up and smell the coffee to be so naive. If you don’t want people to steal certain information about you, then don’t put it on the computer.
ReplyDeleteI like this post because when I first began using facebook I really had no idea on how to change my privacy settings. I actually just recently was able to change them to be more secure because it is a lot easier now.
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