Topic 2: Facebook Privacy Issues

Despite the fact that I am a frequent internet user, I do not use Facebook as often, nor did I find it any harm to do so. However, I have started using Facebook a little more than usual due to educational purposes. Some subject updates are done via Facebook. I also find it helpful because we can make group discussions very easily. I was not aware of the privacy issues. I do not upload my own pictures into the social network, but my friends adore the tag feature, which is what expose my identity to public.

From what I have read, the Facebook privacy issues is also linked to Google, which I have been cautiously using. I understand that technology gets more and more advanced everyday, sometimes to the point where it becomes uncontrollably powerful. As an ordinary user, we cannot control this, nor can Facebook. Perhaps there are ways to avoid this as much as possible, but it is definitely not impossible to completely block the system from retrieving our data. Even if Facebook do not use our information for its advertising purposes, a certain group of people (specifically hackers) can. So, think twice before you join Facebook.

For politicians and celebrities especially, with current technologies their photos can be manipulated. This can create misunderstandings and lead to serious issues. The exposure of personal information is also dangerous in such a way that people can actually track you down and harm you. Try logging into Facebook and watch what happens when you allow access to the demo application below. Do not be alarmed, however, this is only a simple digital work to alert us about the harm that can happen when you expose too much information.

http://www.takethislollipop.com/

Nowadays, there are multiple sites that try to fool its visitors into signing in their Facebook ID in order to track down our information. By providing the same feature with the same exact outlook, people will believe that it is indeed Facebook. With automatic chat features, they fool visitors into believing they are talking to a real person and simply by trying to reply which requires their login, they expose themselves to virus, privacy issues and other threats.

I am definitely against the use of my personal information for the purpose of reselling data or any other offences. However, this will not refrain me from using Facebook. There are ways to prevent our information from being tracked too easily. Below are examples of what we can do to overcome privacy issues.

- Register with completely fake information; this way we would be creating a persona that will conceal our true self thus we are identified as a completely different person.

- Always clear our browsing data before and after using Facebook. This will get rid of the previous logs and informations that has been entered. If we do not do this, then Facebook, or no matter any other websites that we log into may retrieve these logs and analyse them for their own interests and goals.

- Limit the information we enter when registered into any website. We do not need to provide personal information where we don't need to. We also need to be cautious of what we have posted in these sites because they keep a completely different log, which we have no control over, which can arise issues from no matter how long ago.

- Do not login from any other website besides Facebook itself. Although, if we are to visit websites that associate our Facebook account with itself, we might as well log out before doing so. Being logged in while visiting these websites allow them to collect data from our Facebook.

As for myself, I will not discontinue using Facebook. It is only logic that we understand the good, the bad and the risk of internet the moment we decide to pick up the keyboard and mouse. I have so far found it made my life better with the ease of communication it provides. I do not merely use it for entertainment or to reconnect with friends living afar, but for education as well. As long as we are careful with the use of Facebook, we have every right, and the freedom to use it.