What Is Your Privacy Worth?

         

In this century, social media, personal profiles, and the Internet in general are labeled as a borderless culture” (Chris Syme, 2013).  Networking for example can be a very beneficial thing; it allows a lot of mobility across the web.  These platforms are quick and easy for people to get to know one another.  We are given a full preview into people’s personal lives including their interpersonal relations and interests, and it can affect ones job opportunities.  Unfortunately, this does mean that one’s privacy is no longer that, most peoples’ personal information has now become public knowledge in this modern day period.

Majority of every day social media users do not care that their personal information, that most would consider private information, is accessible so easily.  In fact, people willingly put their information out there.  As stated by Chris Syme in his article, 20% of people post their phone numbers, and in addition about 71% of people post where they live.  Majority of people go as far as tagging their location when they are out.  In this instance, you could say that you are potentially subjecting yourself to danger.  Someone you may or may not know could show up thinking if they “run into you” where you just checked in, then you might see that as a sign.  Next thing you know, next time you tag your location, and they are there.  Nine out of ten times this would not be the case, but there is the unfortunate case that people do experience having their privacy invaded.  Regrettably, they are making it possible for the stalker to do this since they feel it necessary to keep their friends or followers up to date of the latest hot spots they are at. 

Then there is the situation of realizing your personal information you want to keep private from strangers is not private.  Myself being one of these people, I never realized that some of my information on my Facebook account is visible to outsiders that are not my friends.  I was under the impression that people I am not a friend of could only see my name, profile picture, and where I am from.  I have come to learn that is not the correct though.  My pictures, where I go to school, where I work, and etc. are all visible.  This is beneficial to companies one applies to because they can see the way you conduct yourself on social media platforms.  Companies take this initiative because they do not want to bring someone aboard their team if they do not represent themselves well.  I have actually gone into a job interview, and the manager brought up a picture I had posted from two years prior of my grandfather and I.  I was very taken back because I was not expecting it.  This proves business professionals will go to great lengths to make sure they are hiring someone that will represent their company well.

The socialmediatoday.com article shows that people do not care though if people can see things on their profile because thy have nothing that is inappropriate or disrespectful.  With all the technology there is now, things rarely ever stay private anymore, and it will be a matter if time before your “private” information is leaked.  I would prefer people who are so curious to know things about me to get the information from my personal accounts where I know information will be accurate.  The accessibility of our information does cause some problems when people try to steal information for fraudulent activity.

Fraud becomes an issue because with all these social media sites that gathers our information allows easier access to any suspect outsiders.  People having our information such as our email, pictures, birthday, etc. can do a lot more damage than one might think.  They can hack into our other accounts; make fake accounts under our names, and more.  If said hacker gets into your personal accounts they can gather any information on there that may not be publicly visible to followers such as your official home address, social security number, and videos.  If you happen to do a lot of online shopping through Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest you may save your log in and credit card information there.  This simplifies identity theft to where hackers can now charge their own items to your card, and before you know it, your card is being declined at the grocery store because “you” maxed it out.  Overall, someone can take on a new persona of you just with little information, and it can rapidly expand into a serious problem.

            There is some information that should be kept legitimately private.  Some would argue against the seriousness of that.  This all comes down to personal preference and comfort with what information of yours is accessible.  However, you need to consider that some of your information that is out there, even tucked safe away “in the cloud”, can be used against you.  Ask yourself, at what expense is your privacy worth.

Works Cited

o   "How Private Is Your Social Media?" Social Media Today. 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2015.

o   "Keeping Your Social Media Profiles Private." CNBC. 7 Aug. 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2015.

o   "Fact Sheet 35: Social Networking Privacy: How to Be Safe, Secure and Social." Social Networking Privacy: How to Be Safe, Secure and Social. Web. 18 Sept. 2015.