The Impacts of Social Media Privacy Settings Science and technology have drastically evolved in the 21st Century. It is important in the new technological era that the rights and responsibilities are upheld by those on its forefront. Young people have become increasingly interested with technological innovations, especially that of the Internet and its social networking sites. The rights and responsibilities need to be upheld by both the users and companies. It is important to recognize that the privacy settings of social media, set by both the company and user, affect users’ daily lives. Have you ever realized how well the ads on Facebook pertain to your preferences? This is no coincidence and should not be taken lightly. Negative impacts
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Businesses will do just about anything to assure their success, and so it comes to no surprise that social media has become the trendiest “battleground” to display eye-catching ads in an attempt to sell more than their competitors. Yet at what cost? According to a compiled data graph by Leverage News Media, social media giants Twitter and Google Plus have 241 million and 500 million active users, respectively. Yet Facebook takes the cake with over 1 billion active users. This social sharing site has the largest opportunities for brands to communicate with consumers in a non-obtrusive way. Or so we think. Right before a new user creates their own profile, a small blurb on top of the sign up button informs them that by clicking the finalizing button, they had agreed to the Terms and Data Use Policy written by Facebook staff. The Data Use Policy includes how the social media site will make use of cookies- small pieces of data stored in internet-accessing devices- in a way that benefits both the user and business promoting their product with ads. These cookies enable the advertising companies and businesses to track the user’s interactions and preferences on Facebook, allowing the ads to become “tailored to individuals,” all while under the consent of the site’s Privacy Policy (2014). Many of these users are completely unaware of this act, and may have a hard time comprehending these violations. What is even more disturbing is that, according to the website PrivacyRights.org, the social network can change its privacy policy at any time without the user’s permission; so the terms you agreed with originally may not be the same terms you approve now. The Security Centre BullGuard has identified a number of ways advertisers are able to collect this information under the alleged consent of
Businesses will do just about anything to assure their success, and so it comes to no surprise that social media has become the trendiest “battleground” to display eye-catching ads in an attempt to sell more than their competitors. Yet at what cost? According to a compiled data graph by Leverage News Media, social media giants Twitter and Google Plus have 241 million and 500 million active users, respectively. Yet Facebook takes the cake with over 1 billion active users. This social sharing site has the largest opportunities for brands to communicate with consumers in a non-obtrusive way. Or so we think. Right before a new user creates their own profile, a small blurb on top of the sign up button informs them that by clicking the finalizing button, they had agreed to the Terms and Data Use Policy written by Facebook staff. The Data Use Policy includes how the social media site will make use of cookies- small pieces of data stored in internet-accessing devices- in a way that benefits both the user and business promoting their product with ads. These cookies enable the advertising companies and businesses to track the user’s interactions and preferences on Facebook, allowing the ads to become “tailored to individuals,” all while under the consent of the site’s Privacy Policy (2014). Many of these users are completely unaware of this act, and may have a hard time comprehending these violations. What is even more disturbing is that, according to the website PrivacyRights.org, the social network can change its privacy policy at any time without the user’s permission; so the terms you agreed with originally may not be the same terms you approve now. The Security Centre BullGuard has identified a number of ways advertisers are able to collect this information under the alleged consent of