Privacy and social networking Privacy concerns of social website users are hard to reconcile

THE INTERNET—Privacy concerns about social networking sites are causing some users to logout for good. Facebook has seen an estimated 25 to 50 percent drop in new accounts because of privacy concerns that have been raised over the past few months.

When new users register an account with a social networking site like Twitter, they are typically asked to enter their email address, name, location, and create a username. This is familiar to anyone that has accessed their checking account online, paid bills online, or started a blog.

Perhaps what is most curious is why are there concerns by users? In law, one would certainly not cite logging onto Internet sites as extending a “reasonable expectation of privacy”. After all, is that not what the Internet is for? Sharing information?

Consumers would think their financial institution would keep any and all personal information private, but a site that users voluntarily post personal information? If a social networking site user posts information about their favorite places to shop or favorite spot to eat on MySpace for dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of others to see, what privacy do they expect?

A clear dichotomy exists when a user willingly registers with a site, posts content and then expects none of that information to be disseminated.

-- Killswitch Politick

Click here to subscribe 

Click here to contact