Friday September 21, 2012 it was announced that the EU and Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) have taken on Facebook and Facebook has relented. The feature currently being highlighted is the photo tagging feature that Facebook users all over the world have used for some time now. The issue is security, the linking of data and how exactly the technology and programs Facebook uses affects you. Just how much does Facebook know about you?
Well, the answer would be the more you use it the more they know. For example an Australian law student wanted to see exactly Facebook had archived about him and what he found was rather shocking. After contacting Facebook about his history they sent him a CD-ROM with over 1200 pages of info that they had collected and archived on him.
What was on these pages everything from “pokes” to old chat conversations that had taken places as far back as 2008! That is four years of data, an idea that frankly baffles the mind. That much info on one person no matter how simple or innocent it may seem can be a very powerful tool when used by those who do not mind spreading it around. Fortunately for the most part Facebook has only been sharing information of this sort and others on a permission based basis.
What does all this mean for us in the USA and other North American countries? It definitely could have an impact on our laws and regulations concerning the same sort of information and application sharing that Facebook and other social media sites are famous for. Beyond that is it a step toward censorship for the sake of safety? You have to decide that for you and your family.
It also makes you think about what you share or even do on social media sites. Take some time and research your options and the safety features that Facebook and others have put in place for you. Social media is a great tool that can help bridge families and friends across states, continents and countries. We just have to realize that we only share those things that we are comfortable in others knowing because in reality the potential is there for having your data shared with the world.
Whether you are a casual sharer or an “over-sharer” remember; your safety online and in the world is a responsibility you cannot leave to any other individual, company or government entity.