Diamond Author
Due to mismanagement of social online networks, or perhaps a strategy of testing just how much the social networking participants will take, there have been some serious mistakes made, and many people are fearful of their data and online privacy. Social Networking individuals were so very upset, so much so that the Justice Department launched a quick investigation and lawyers ensued.
Let's discuss social networking and the reality of privacy online. You see, most people realize that just because they have friends online, does not necessarily mean they are real people, or even real friends. In fact, in most cases they don't even care to meet the person and know that if they actually ever were to meet that person, who happened to be in their own city, and they would want to meet with them in a very public place, and perhaps even take a friend with them for fear the online social networking friend might not be who they claim to be.
There are also problems with data phishers who use social engineering tactics to become your friend online or on your blog. There are also hackers that use artificial intelligence and social engineering to gather data, and we also know that the owners of these social networks want that data also. Perhaps as social online network participants and bloggers start putting down personal information, an artificial intelligent privacy auditing tool could give them warnings. Maybe certain data might automatically prevent the ability to post it, such as social security numbers, home addresses, etc.
Now then, on another topic, if we look at the Ning social networking platform, we see that users can decide which data can be seen by the public, although most of the data could be seen by administrators, and these administrators are also subject to challenges with social engineering, hacking, and trust. For instance they might sell for data, and authorities might request the data. Further, many social networking sites require some data, merely to prove you are a real person, prevent "Sploggers" or comment spammers promoting garbage, porn, or spreading viruses online by inviting folks to their website, through posted links.
Another issue no one talks about is that when hackers get information, they often share their data with each other. And authorities in intelligence agencies also share their data with other countries, and many people who have access to that data also work on this side as consultants on the side, and because of their level of access, we all know that loose lips sink ships. Occasionally, also there are foreign spies, and full-on criminals which are predators of social networks.
Often, users are inept, and they just don't get it, therefore many have suggested that we need more education for social network users, and they need to understand the risks. Many social networks now have warning videos which are suggested to view before signing up, and agencies like the FTC have put forth free-programs for students, teens, and others so they can protect their identity and beware of online predators too. Especially younger teenage users, who may be less risk adverse to two their age, or a misunderstanding of how the real world works - so, please consider all this.
Ref.
"Privacy on the Line - The Politics of Wiretapping and Encryption," W. Diffie and S. Landau, Press at MIT, Cambridge, (1999), ISBN: 0262041677.
WSJ; "On the Web's Cutting Edge, Anonymity in Name Only, by E. Steel and J. Angwin.
WSJ; "The Great Privacy Debate," by J. Harper and Nicholas Carr, August 7-8, 2010.
About this Author
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.WorldThinkTank.net - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.
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