In today's world nothing is private anymore. In less that two minuets you can google someone and you can generally find out where they are, what they're doing, and what they look like. Being able to personalize our Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites might come at a cost. Facebook has always updated their terms and privacy agreements but does anyone really read them? I always just scroll to the bottom and click accept. Yes it's my fault when I don't understand what I'm agreeing to but shouldn't the company want to put those terms in words that make it easier for people to understand. Yet everyone has their own view on the word privacy and it might not seem like a big deal when they like something on Facebook.
I'm more likely to give a website that I am familiar with my information than one I'm not. If the website doesn't look professional or credible I am more hesitant to fill out any forms on the website. I'll also be more likely to give a website my information if a friend has also used the website. For me this mostly deals with any online shopping I do. Many clothing companies that offer good prices are over seas in Japan, Australia, or the UK. Being they are so far away I am always really hesitant to put any of my bank information into their billing process unless I know it is a secured site, so it helps when I know a friend has bought something from them and hasn't had any problems.
Privacy has also been an issue with the rise in use of the technology on your phone. I recently found out in one of my classes just how much your iPhone tracks you if you have your location services turned on. You can look now by going into your settings, click on privacy, location services, scroll down to System Services, then Frequent Locations. Here is where your iPhone can see all of the places you frequent and when you click on them it even tells you the time. I turned mine off just because it freaked me out and I had no idea it tracked me that thoroughly. So obviously the personalization of our online life is coming at a price but we have come immune to it.
Are you changing anything about your privacy setting now that you're starting to apply for jobs?
I do not think we pay enough attention to privacy settings on websites, especially social media. I also click accept to the terms and agreements without a second thought. I think that the layout of a website has a lot to do with trust. If a website doesn’t look credible, I sometimes leave it, thinking that it may not even be legitimate in the first place. Just recently I turned my location services on for an application I wanted to use that required that, but now I am questioning whether or not it is worth it!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you brought up that companies should want you to know what you're agreeing to. I think now many companies believe that they 'know whats best' for the consumer, this is where the lines may get blurred. The consumer should have complete control and knowledge over what they are sharing. I actually enjoy the location services on my phone-- It lets me know what the traffic will be like when I am trying to drive home, or how close I am to certain restaurants that I enjoy. I have changed everything about my facebook profile during my job search. Almost everything is private except for my school and my profile picture.
ReplyDeleteI personally agree with a lot of what you are saying, but at the same time I can see the other point of view. I feel as if it is the users complete fault whenever they do not read the terms and conditions. To be honest, I do not read the terms and conditions but I feel as if I can not get mad if my privacy is invaded. I feel like an example to compare this to is getting mad when you fail a test even though you did not study. It is silly to feel as if you had the rights to pass the test when you did not put in time and effort. Much like the test, I feel like it is silly to get mad when your privacy is leaked when you did not read the terms and conditions.
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