This chart is very interesting, and a little disturbing at the same time. I never really realized how much of peoples profiles I could see, and how much of my profile was available. I think what I found most disturbing was that as more and more of FB users personal information was made available to a wider net of people, users were not asked or informed of what was being done. It is true that you can make most parts of your profile private, but it is still kind of creepy to think that anyone with access to a computer can access your information.
This topic brings up two important questions, or what some may view as a decision. Should people censor what they put up more to protect themselves, or should facebook protect their users? Our discussion from last week and the video by Kevin Kelly would lean towards the side that it's up to users to protect themselves. According to Kelly, if we want a more personalized web experience then we must be willing to be transparent. What do you think about allowing your information to become public domain just to have a more "personalized" and hi-tech web/technology experience?
To answer Daniel's question above, I personally censor and limit the content I post on Facebook. I rarely post status messages, I removed most of my information from my "About Me", I don't generally add pages or groups, and nor do I really "like" anything. I use Facebook as a means of contacting and keeping in touch with people.
I'm actually not as active on Facebook anymore because of the new privacy settings. It just freaks me out that anyone can be reading up on my life.
Personally, I have done my very best to hide my profile on Facebook. Every month I regularly enter the Privacy settings area and make sure that my privacy is upheld. About a month ago, a person I had met actually had trouble finding me on Facebook because I made sure that the only people who could search for me were my friends and friends of friends.
As far as the issue of privacy goes, I definitely think it's up to users. The privacy settings are definitely there. The problem is that a majority of users don't really know that, but I will admit, this is mostly due to users' own faults. Facebook does have a notification when their Privacy settings change, and they do recommend people to change their privacy settings. But people either get too lazy or dismiss it.
All I can say is, I really wish Facebook would give us back some money they get by selling our info.
About a year ago, I can remember a privacy option in which you could make your recent activity not appear on your profile. But they took that feature down too. I am wary of my 13 year old sister's profile and try to make sure her privacy settings are the most "secure" (whatever that means) it can be.
I'm surprised that the chart still had any white left...
If you want to check your privacy settings, there's a bookmarklet that will scan your settings and tell you how secure your Facebook info is: ReclaimPrivacy
This chart is very interesting, and a little disturbing at the same time. I never really realized how much of peoples profiles I could see, and how much of my profile was available. I think what I found most disturbing was that as more and more of FB users personal information was made available to a wider net of people, users were not asked or informed of what was being done. It is true that you can make most parts of your profile private, but it is still kind of creepy to think that anyone with access to a computer can access your information.
ReplyDeleteThis topic brings up two important questions, or what some may view as a decision. Should people censor what they put up more to protect themselves, or should facebook protect their users? Our discussion from last week and the video by Kevin Kelly would lean towards the side that it's up to users to protect themselves. According to Kelly, if we want a more personalized web experience then we must be willing to be transparent. What do you think about allowing your information to become public domain just to have a more "personalized" and hi-tech web/technology experience?
This chart makes me want to not use Facebook.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Daniel's question above, I personally censor and limit the content I post on Facebook. I rarely post status messages, I removed most of my information from my "About Me", I don't generally add pages or groups, and nor do I really "like" anything. I use Facebook as a means of contacting and keeping in touch with people.
I'm actually not as active on Facebook anymore because of the new privacy settings. It just freaks me out that anyone can be reading up on my life.
Personally, I have done my very best to hide my profile on Facebook. Every month I regularly enter the Privacy settings area and make sure that my privacy is upheld. About a month ago, a person I had met actually had trouble finding me on Facebook because I made sure that the only people who could search for me were my friends and friends of friends.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the issue of privacy goes, I definitely think it's up to users. The privacy settings are definitely there. The problem is that a majority of users don't really know that, but I will admit, this is mostly due to users' own faults. Facebook does have a notification when their Privacy settings change, and they do recommend people to change their privacy settings. But people either get too lazy or dismiss it.
All I can say is, I really wish Facebook would give us back some money they get by selling our info.
About a year ago, I can remember a privacy option in which you could make your recent activity not appear on your profile. But they took that feature down too. I am wary of my 13 year old sister's profile and try to make sure her privacy settings are the most "secure" (whatever that means) it can be.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that the chart still had any white left...
If you want to check your privacy settings, there's a bookmarklet that will scan your settings and tell you how secure your Facebook info is:
ReplyDeleteReclaimPrivacy