Your privacy is under seige...and YOU are the culprit!

I continue to be amazed by the transparency of some of the things people post and what they allow to be posted on their behalf by facebook apps. I'm perplexed not because I have things to hide or because I'm reading (or viewing video) things that are off color, I just don't see the value in broadcasting every article I read or every video I watch. In fact, I find this default behavior, a function of the facebook application programming interface (API), to be pretty creepy.  But apparently, this is in line with what Mark Zuckerberg, facebook's CEO, wants.  Despite his slightly narcassitic tendencies, you won't see any posts "on behalf of Mark" on his facebook page.  That's telling, isn't it?

 

There's a reason the founders of this country were incensed in their development of the constitution. Yet, here we are exercising free speech and effectively creating the vehicle for George Orwell's 1984. So what's the point? 

•  Be aware of your privacy settings in facebook (or other social networking site) and the apps you subscribe to. Confusing though they may sometimes be, you've got some flexibility in how visible your posts are. I'd be wary of apps (e.g., games, news readers, video) that want carte blanche--e.g., posting on your behalf and access to too much of your personal informatoin. If you must use such an app from within facebook, consider going into your settings to alter the post privilege and what the app has regular access to.
•  Be advised that while you still have free speech, you could also be held accountable--via subpoena or otherwise--for what you post. Despite all those settings (mentioned earlier), none of what you do here is truly private. And to some extent, that's the point in re-connecting with family and friends. Just be conscious of your data going where you THINK it's going. There's pending legislation in various states regarding making employer requests for your facebook password illegal, but the jury is still out on that one.
•  Be discerning. I'm no prude, but there are plenty of posts that just make me think, "Did we really need to know that?" I'm just sayin'(!)

*This has been a public service announcement from your friendly neighborhood Information Security Manager.

 

Peace,

+THINKR