PRIVACY ISSUES IN SOCIAL NETWORKING.

Introduction

’If you feel like someone is watchingyou, you're right. If you're worriedabout this, you have plenty ofcompany. If you're not doinganything about this anxiety, you’rejust like almost everyone else.’ (BobSullivan, 2011)

Aim

This presentation will discuss some different commontypes of social network sites and the privacy issues ofthese social networking services.

Also share some general tips for using social networks.

Type of Social Networkings

Social Networking Sites:

Generally, these networking sites allow users tosend messages, add friends, and share content.

Type of social networks

Social Media Sharing SitesThese are some popular media sharing sites:

Photo sharing: Flickr, Photobucket, Picasa, Video sharing: Youtube, Vimeo, iMemories, and Audio sharing: SoundCloud, MySpace etc.

Type of social networks

Location Based Networks:Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt

Mostly, these applications accessed via smart phones rather than social networking if users choose sharing their location with their social connections.

Privacy concerns regarding Social Networking

The Issues of online privacy has been a serious problem for along time, it has even started to grow rapidly due totechnology. Criminals may use social networks to connectwith potential victims.

Identity Theft :

· Passwords

· Bank account information

· Credit card numbers

· Information stored on a user’s computer

· Access to the user’s computer without the consent.

Location tracking:

Location based social networks arepart of what is called Location basedservices (LBS).They are made possible by linkingGlobal positioning system (GPS),which track user’s location, to thecapabilities of the World Wide Web,along with other vital features suchas instant messaging.

Other issues:

Child safety, hate speech…

General Tips

Become familiar with the privacy settings available on any social network you use

Don’t share your birthday, age, or place of birth.

Don’t publicize vacation plans

Don’t post your address, phone number or email address on a social network

Use caution when using third-party applications

Be wary of requests for money

Take additional precautions if you are the victim of stalking, harassment or domestic violence.

Reference

Anna , P. (2012). Social Networking: Internet Privacy Or Internet Piracy – You Decide. Retrieve from

http://www.valuewalk.com/2012/07/social-networking-internet-privacy-or-internet-piracy-you-decide/

Bob, S. (2011). Study: Social media polarizes our privacy concerns. Retrieve fromhttp://www.nbcnews.com/id/41995992/ns/technology_and_science/t/study-social-media-

polarizes-our-privacy-concerns/#.VRklReF7zK8

Fact Sheet 35: Social Networking Privacy: How to be Safe, Secure and Social. Retrieve fromhttps://www.privacyrights.org/social-networking-privacy-how-be-safe-secure-and-social

Location-based service. Retrieve fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location-based_service

Privacy concerns with social networking services. Retrieve fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_concerns_with_social_networking_services