It is not a secret that technology has changed our lives a lot. It has completely transformed the way we live, communicate, and interact with one another. For example, there is no need to postpone important events to meet your friend or talk with family.
Instead, you can contact them online, making the experience fast, easy, and comfortable. Whether you are driving in the car, staying in line, or buying things in the supermarket, you can keep in touch with others.
Additionally, it is inevitable to highlight another important advantage of technology development. Social networks have considerably simplified the process of data collection, storage, and sharing. Thus, students do not have problems on how to send sensitive files to others or tell about JustDoMyEssay services anonymously and risk-free.
Irrespective of all the impressive advantages, social network users should mind a considerable number of pitfalls and downsides of the technology.
Have you ever noticed media platforms predict your choices or preferences? Have you come across targeted ads? To tell the truth, your family and friends may not know that much information about you as the social media platforms. How is it possible? Is it safe to live online?
These are the questions more and more users are asking. However, at this point, it seems too late to answer, as the basic data about you has already been collected.
In the advancing world of information, the vast majority of big media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and others, can get and store data about you. How is it possible? All the facts are obtained from your device, web searches, posts, likes, and other options.
Do you want to learn the process in more detail? What aspects of your life are not a secret anymore? When you create a Facebook or any other social media account, you can provide some basic information about you, including your homeland, city, birth date, preferences, religion, political views, and some other issues.
That serves as the beginning of the big data collection process. Then, you start liking posts, joining groups and clubs, and leaving comments, which contributes to the data that has already been gathered.
At this point, big data companies have enough facts about you so that they sometimes know even more than your family. Just look at three main ways social networks invade your privacy:
- They know your friends. Have you ever paid attention to friend suggestions on Facebook? Or maybe you have noticed the “you may know” section on Instagram? Social network applications can keep up with your friendships. Data companies monitor your relationships, statuses and updates to predict who your friends are. This way you get suggestions on who you should friend. How do they do it? Do you remember the terms of agreement you accepted when you created the account? Social media has got access to your phone and email contacts then, so finding your friends and relatives has become not a big deal.
- They are aware of your interests. When did you last search for the new décor for your living room? Have you recently purchased a new dress online? There is no way any of these activities will be left without attention. Social media platforms have the ability to monitor your activities and browsing history. Thus, it is not complicated to suggest your current needs and preferences.
- They have information about most of your activities. Do you allow apps to get your location? Do you add photos on Instagram, adding a location? That simplifies the task of data companies, making them aware of your activities and experiences.
Is It Safe to Stay Online?
According to the reviews of experienced social media users, the overwhelming majority of customers, who start considering personal data collection, choose to avoid the usage of Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. However, such a decision is usually short-term and lasts no longer than a week or two.
Generally, if you dive deeper into the topic, you will find out a range of reasons why your vulnerable data is stored and how it can simplify your life. By approving your apps and media platforms to have access to certain kinds of data, you provide them with the ability to make meaningful suggestions that will make your everyday activities easier and more comfortable.
At this point, it is essential to mention that social network websites can collect and store sensitive information, but they mustn’t share such data.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Personal Information Online
Do you feel insecure online? Is there a feeling that your personal information is stolen? There is no need to limit the usage of social media platforms or other websites. Instead, you can take some steps to protect your data and relish comfortable and 100% safe online experiences:
- Be aware of the terms and conditions of social media websites.
- Do not share your full name, address, and phone number.
- Be careful posting photos and videos on social media platforms.
- Adjust privacy settings.