“Like a magician who waves a brightly colored
handkerchief in the right hand so that the left hand becomes invisible. From a
consumer’s viewpoint, Facebook’s fatal design error isn’t that Johnny can see
Billy’s data. It’s that Facebook has uncontrolled access to everybody’s data,
regardless of the so-called privacy settings” (E. Moglen, Colombia University
Law Professor, 2012). Facebook collects
and sometimes makes your personal data available to third parties. Facebook’s
method of collecting and using data isn’t always in favor of the member.
Facebook has more than 150 million Americans
using its social network. They are family, friends, sisters, brothers etc. The
reasons why people choose to create a Facebook account are endless. The privacy issue has been around for quite a
while now; still it appears users are not particularly concerned about all the
ins and outs regarding their personal information or worried about the massive
amounts of sensitive data that is being collected daily by Facebook.
When you register for an account on Facebook
certain privacy and security measures are promised by them. Listed are some pros and cons:
·
As a user you are to
abide by Facebook policies and procedures.
·
Some users don’t
utilize their privacy controls.
·
Every time you visit
Facebook data is collected about you.
·
User data is shared
more openly than you might imagine.
·
Facebook Apps crave
your data.
Well it is not as cut and dry as it
sounds. The founder and CEO Mark
Zuckerberg also posted on a particular blog that they perform privacy access
checks billions of times a day. Although
concerns and behaviors continue to emerge as numerous users constantly share
too much information about themselves; for example we are going to Cloud Croft
N.M. for the weekend this is like an open invitation for burglars, or I don’t
really like my boss well your boss or a co-worker might read this and pass it
on, or how about this one I’m on disability but let’s party tonight, this type
of behavior on Facebook will only prove to be damaging. This information alone doesn’t really prove
you’re an immoral person, however it isn’t meant for everybody’s ears either.
So far, Facebook users are not utilizing
their privacy controls. The data
that Facebook collects is being shared more broadly than you think, even the
restricted information that your friends are not allowed to see. Approximately
13 million Facebook users haven’t ever setup their privacy controls this is
according to this periodical written by Consumer Reports. Facebook uses your
data and incorporates it into a money making tool; for example they focus on
your data and they work with advertisers to convey ads that will deliver similar
interests the user may find useful. Just
to be clear Facebook doesn’t share your information with advertisers, but then
again they will if you give them permission.
Now, if you click on one of the numerous ads and make a purchase the
advertiser or advertising company will obviously be able to identify who you
are. This is how they acquire your information.
Another way your data is being used is through Apps. When you download
or run games through Facebook your personal data has now become public even if
you didn’t authorize it. And, if you
allow the Apps to dig deeper they will, of course you can always customized
your privacy settings and regulate the permission and security level.
In conclusion, granted Facebook can’t control
the content users post on their profiles or their walls or the data Facebook
collects about their members, especially, if
policy and procedures are met.
Still, these are abundant ways that Facebook is utilizing your
information to make a profit. Do they
have the user privacy controls in mind, when their main goal is to generate
revenue to make a profit, well maybe, or maybe not. “Mark Zuckerbergs objective or goal was to
make the world more open and connected” Well he succeeded, still when you are
the CEO of a company that is already making millions by sharing user data with
third parties, how much more open and connected do you need to be.
Reference:
Academic Search Premier Database:
Consumer Reports;
Jun2012, Vol. 77 Issue
6, p24-31, 8p, 12
Facebook
& Your Privacy Periodical retrieved from Website:
1 comment:
This is so crazy, but I am not really surprised at all. I figured that Facebook would have to make their money from somewhere.... Why not off the millions of people that are members of Facebook. I always wondered how I get weird popups and spam of the sort on my computer and it drives me crazy!
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