Our digital footprint is proof of our existence in the modern era. It’s impossible to sidestep it, and exceedingly suspicious if someone you come across doesn’t have it. When you use the internet and engage on social media, you automatically leave a trail of data.
Your digital shadow defines you and/or your business. Everything you share about yourself on public websites is accessible to spectators worldwide. Most of the information we put out there is a necessity of modern times. You might be doing so to find work, keep everyone updated about your life, inspire others, for the sake of entertainment, promote your business, or connect with like-minded people.
Whatever your reasons for building an online presence, you must acknowledge the possible risks and drawbacks that come with it. We cannot erase our digital footprint or go permanently incognito, but we can implement safety measures to avoid being a victim.
A secure internet connection is one of the preliminary steps to staying safe online. If you’re looking to sign up with a new internet service provider, you must ask them about their privacy policy and safety features. For recommendations, Xfinity is among the leading ISPs in the United States today, catering to a diverse user base. If you’re from the Spanish community, servicio al cliente Xfinity can answer any questions you may have, providing effective details on their privacy policy.
Coming back to the point, what are social media privacy issues? We tend to share ample personal information on social media, which can create problems if we’re not cautious. Let’s discuss the common privacy issues that arise and how we can deal with them:
Social Media Privacy Issues:
- Mining and Monetizing User Data
Whenever we sign up with a social media platform and make a profile page, we are bound to share basic info like our name, gender, date of birth, location, etc. Social media is free to use and it happens to provide the three things human beings crave the most, i.e. freedom of speech, validation, and social interaction.
Suppose you publicly post a thought or opinion on a social app, and it goes viral overnight. A huge audience relates to you and passionately supports your words. Receiving that kind of instant popularity and gratitude is addictive. It encourages you to share even more and be part of a community that understands you.
What we need to realize is that nothing is actually free in life. We might not be swiping our cards, but we are enjoying the social media perquisites in exchange for our data. This often includes contact information, which is given to third-party apps that can reach out to market their products and services.
Daily status updates are a norm on leading social media apps, and we frequently talk about our interests and hobbies as well. All these details reveal a great deal about our personality, and social media apps use them to improve our overall experience. We are shown content and ads that resonate with what we like, which often leads to subscriptions or purchases.
How to prevent your data from being distributed?
Adjust your privacy settings to limit access to your personal information. You may set your profile to private and avoid sharing intimate details about your life. It helps to keep it vague and control who views your content. Personalized privacy settings do not guarantee 100% protection, but they minimize threats from external sources.
- Geo Tagging
When you’re connected to the internet and logged into social media apps, you could be sharing your location unknowingly. Every time you upload photos of a hangout and add the location of the venue, you’re publicly disclosing exactly where you are or a place you recently visited.
Geo Tagging gives spectators an idea of where you can be found, and sometimes you pinpoint your location, making it even easier to track you. You may post photos and videos of your home and leave clues for notorious observers to seek you out.
How to avoid being located by strangers?
Whenever you’re out and about, turn off the location of your phone and other mobile devices. Only enable your location settings when necessary; for example, when ordering food from an app, calling an Uber, or navigating the way using Google Maps.
You can also use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide your real location and Internet Protocol (IP) address. Last but not least, avoid geotagging social media uploads that are meant for the public audience.
- Targeting by Hackers & Transgressors
Social media sites are a primary hunting ground for hackers. There’s so much one can learn from your public social profiles, such as your hometown, the place you work/study, the people you regularly interact with, the public places you frequently visit, and so on.
Basic contact information like an email address or phone number can be used for phishing and blackmailing. The information you share on your socials can be used to break into your accounts and steal sensitive information. For example, if you often post about your dog “Maxwell” and use his name in most of your passwords, you’re doomed.
Let’s not forget that social media is open to everybody, which means you are exposed to the good and the bad. Cyberbullying and cyberstalking are two major issues sprouting from oversharing personal content on online social platforms. People with evil intentions may aim to trigger your insecurities with offensive comments and messages.
Some transgressors go as far as following you in real life and pulling pranks to frighten you. These people can cause serious harm and endanger your life, so you must take legal action against them as soon as possible.
How to protect yourself from hackers and transgressors?
Once again, don’t share too much about your life on social media, especially if your profile is not set to private. Always opt for strong passwords that are difficult to guess, so that nobody gets close to hacking your accounts.
If you receive suspicious emails or threatening messages from unknown sources, ignore them and block them right away. Never engage a transgressor or give in to their demands. Report their offensive behavior to the designated cybercrime organization in your country or inform local authorities if you are being stalked/harassed in person.
Wrapping Up
Staying off or boycotting social media for good is not the solution to privacy issues associated with it. You can turn social media into a fun and safe space by being more vigilant of what you share and how you manage your accounts.