How much Privacy is there in the Social World?

In my previous blog posting, I mentioned various ways that Social networks can and will affect your future online experiences. As interesting as it is from a marketing perspective; it’s also very concerning, particularly when you think about it from a Privacy stance. There is a significant amount of information sharing that’s necessary to “enhance your web experience.” In fact, according to a recent article, the House Judiciary Committee has brought Facebook’s Privacy Practices into question. The article states, “Facebook has come under fire for sharing user information with a handful of other online services as  part of its new "instant personalization" program, which is intended to let Facebook members share their interests in everything from music to restaurants with others in their social networks. The program draws information from a member's profile to customize several other sites, including the music service Pandora.”

If you’re anything like me, then you probably want to know more about Facebook’s Privacy Practices; and how you can adjust them to secure your own privacy. So, below I've listed a few examples of Facebook practices that I found a bit concerning:

Pre-Approved Third-Party Websites and Applications. In order to provide you with useful social experiences off of Facebook, we occasionally need to provide General Information about you to pre-approved third party websites and applications that use Platform at the time you visit them (if you are still logged in to Facebook). …

Advertisements. Sometimes the advertisers who present ads on Facebook use technological methods to measure the effectiveness of their ads and to personalize advertising content..

To serve social ads. We occasionally pair advertisements we serve with relevant information we have about you and your friends to make advertisements more interesting and more tailored to you and your friends….

To supplement your profile. We may use information about you that we collect from other Facebook users to supplement your profile (such as when you are tagged in a photo or mentioned in a status update)….

Limitations on removal. Even after you remove information from your profile or delete your account, copies of that information may remain viewable elsewhere to the extent it has been shared with others…

The list of worrisome practices goes on and on; but the good news is that YOU have the power to change it. Facebook recently updated their privacy settings allowing for better controls. However, the “default” privacy settings will pretty much open you up to public searches; i.e. allowing your pictures/status updates and general profile information to be shared with “Everyone.” In addition, you’re automatically opted into the “instant personalization” that has brought Facebook’s Privacy Practices into the limelight. However, at the end of the day, you do have the ability to define how much you want to share; and who you want to share it with; but it takes some effort on your part.

All you have to do is log into your account, and go to “Privacy Settings.” Here you can “opt out” of instant personalization, hide yourself from public “people” searches, Hide yourself from Google Searches, make your contact information private, define various “groups” of friends that you’re willing to share specific information with, define who “tagged” pictures/videos can be seen by and/or keep your friendships private. It's not too user-friendly and can be a bit overwhelming; however there are various sites and blogs that can provide you with specific instructions on accomplishing all of the above tasks. Privacy is important to many of us; so If you're going to join a social network, I strongly suggest you take the time to review your Privacy settings and create a social environment that you feel comfortable with.