Why privacy matters
Why privacy matters
November 6, 2012
A couple of blog posts back, Corrin told you all about the importance of taking the time to Google Yourself in order to manage your online presence, but I want to take it one step further and talk about protecting your privacy online.
Many of you value your online reputation and want to protect it – but do you know how?
Interestingly enough, this topic is a very relevant issue in my life. For a couple of months, I’ve been receiving some emails directed to someone else with my last name! Apparently, this person provided an incorrect email address and I’ve received many private emails that should be, well, private! For instance, electrical bills, voting cards and even information about this person’s rent – including their home address! Now, I’ve done my due diligence in trying to contact these businesses to say, “Please stop! I’m not the intended recipient!” But the fact of the matter is this person’s personal information was compromised because of a typo!
Emails and social profiles can be copied, reprinted, stored on a hard drive somewhere or sold to advertising or marketing companies that use your personal information to tailor products to you. Do you ever remark at the fact that so many ads on social networking sites seem to be very well in-tuned with your interests?
Also be sure to keep in mind social media applications. By clicking “I Agree” to post a quiz result, an image or a funky widget on your profile, you may also be inadvertently giving permission for the creators to have full access to your contacts and all of their information. In this instance, your friends’ privacy is in your hands.
This post isn’t meant to scare you; more or less I want to stress maintaining your privacy, by following these tips:
- Think before you click – Once something goes online or “public”, chances are it is permanent.
- Don’t click “I Agree” until you know what you’re agreeing to! – This goes for your own privacy, as well as for your friends and family.
- Restrict all privacy settings – Most social networking sites allow you to set certain components of your profile as private. You should make the time to do so if you haven’t already.
- Avoid geo-tagging – Many smartphones now allow you to “check in” at various locations. With these feature, anybody can find out where you are
- Change your passwords regularly – And certainly, do not use the same password for all your logins!
There are many other tips, and I’ve found a great source for you! The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is participating in Media Literacy Week (November 5th-9th) with a Privacy Matters campaign. Check out their youth website, and be sure to take a look at all of the great tips and examples in this presentation.
Young or old, there is something we can all learn about privacy: it matters.