With the development of technology, and social media specifically, has come many privacy concerns. As users, these social media companies have access to lots of personal information that gives details about their own life, as well as what people interact with on social media. Many people ignore this concerning fact and obliviously post information all over these applications.
However, in recent conflict, the information social media platforms possess is being used against us. Facebook just underwent an investigation regarding its breach of users privacy. Over a 16th month investigation, the Federal Trade Commision, confirmed that Facebook was involved with Cambridge Analytica. This political consulting company gained access to a large portion of users’ information. “With the aid of a quiz app that collected data on users as well as their friends, Cambridge Analytica improperly gained access to 87 million Facebook users’ names, “likes” and other personal details. But the government’s investigation expanded to focus on a host of additional privacy mishaps, including Facebook’s once secret data sharing relationships with device makers and other third party apps where users may not have understood what happened to their personal information” (Washington Post). Facebook unjustly sent out their users personal information for third party benefit. Cambridge Analytica had ties to the Trump Campaign. This violation of Facebook’s guidelines caused the largest fine for privacy violation in history.
The FTC granted Facebook a $5 billion fine. However, considering the net worth exceeds $500 billion, this seemed miniscule. Although several other restrictions have been made. For the next 20 years the federal government will be involved in all major decisions made by Facebook.
Although people continue to use social media and spread their information across these platforms despite the possible breach of privacy. As technology and social media develops as does those who hack the system. “According to the Pew Trust, 13 percent of Americans have had their social media accounts taken over by an unauthorized user. Such hacks can result in stolen information and forced shares that redirect followers to malware, among other things” (Tulane University). Putting our lives across the internet allows many to obtain personal information. These websites know a lot about each of us simply based on how we interact with the site. Therefore, those who gain this information have just as much knowledge. Our identities are woven into these sites, therefore the protection of our privacy is important. Despite these studies, people continue to interact on social media because it has become an important aspect of our lives and interactions. What do you think regarding social media and user privacy protection?
Reading about the Facebook privacy scandal when it first came out, I truly wasn’t surprised to learn that our information was being collected by sources other than Facebook itself. It’s not a shock that every interaction we have on a social media platform can be tracked and distributed to other companies to ultimately cater our feeds to reflect our common interests.
Over quarantine, I watch the Social Dilemma documentary that showed just how deep social media interactions will go to get your personal information and interests just to keep you engaged for the longest amount of time possible. They track your every move and see how long you interact with each post you view.
According to Tech Republic, this whole privacy scandal was more than 10 years in the making. The idea that Facebook has been collecting personal data on us for that long is quite shocking and baffling to know that it took this long for people to get to the bottom of it. Personally, I think that if social media companies were able to shorten their terms and conditions so people wouldn’t just click ‘accept’ without reading them, more people would be able to control who took their personal information and what exactly happened to it so that there would be a much better overall understanding.
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/facebook-data-privacy-scandal-a-cheat-sheet/
In an article written by Pew Research Center back in 2018, it discusses the concern about privacy issues through social media accounts like Facebook. It explains how Americans’ have concerns about their personal information being made available to marketers through these social platforms without their consent. Except most American’s continue to use such platforms despite privacy concerns. Like you previously mentioned, social media has become a large part of people’s lives. To take it a step further, for some social media is their job. This makes attempting to leave social media very difficult. Even though this article is about three years old, I believe it’s very relevant to the current Facebook breach situation because it shows how this privacy issue was a huge concern back then. With technology constantly becoming smarter and evolving, it goes to show how much worse the privacy situation could have gotten. In a study conducted back in 2014, “80% of social media users said they were concerned about businesses accessing the data they share on social media platforms” (Raine, 2018). I think it’s important for all users to be vigilant about the information they post on these platforms, but I don’t believe they should always have to be on high alert. These platforms we’re created for enjoyment and to stay connected with friends and family. Facebook users should not be in a constant state of worry about whether or not their privacy will be breached. I believe that the government should put some regulations on what private information from users can be used. Though when creating any social account, you sign the Terms & Agreement for the completion of your account that discusses the small details about the platform. It is unethical for Facebook and other platforms to take users’ private information without their knowledge. Without creating a regulation about what information can and can’t be used, the unlawful release of private information will never end.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/03/27/americans-complicated-feelings-about-social-media-in-an-era-of-privacy-concerns/