If you are an avid user of social media or even just an American born since 1980, chances are your web footprint is everywhere.
Many social media sites such as Facebook have elaborate ‘private policies’ filled with legal jargon and make a point of informing consumers that they are committed to protecting privacy. But people should be aware that such privacy policies are not intended to help out consumers, rather they are intended solely to protect the sites themselves. Most social media site’s privacy policies are used to inform consumers which of their private information they are collecting and giving or not giving out. Once you click the accept button, you agree to this privacy policy.
In reality, it’s more of an agreement where the consumer is giving away rights to privacy.
On some level, we as 21st-century consumers need to accept that loss of privacy as part of the deal if we want to remain active on the internet. In fact I often find it ironic for anyone to say they want to protect their privacy yet remain on Facebook or other social media sites—it simply can’t be done. The smarter method would be to control your information. Try to limit personal identifying information, and realize that everything you put out there might be seen by somebody—whether it be employers, friends, or companies that want to sell you something. Social media websites are businesses- they are out there to make money. It is not against the law for them to collect this information, so it is up to you as the consumer what you are putting out there for the taking.
The bottom line is that we as consumers need to be smart as to what we put out on social media sites, as there is no real privacy on the internet.