Facebook and the Privacy Scandal
Kevin Felts 04.05.18
Like a lot of people I use Facebook to stay in contact with friends an family members. I like keeping up with my cousins, and friends I rarely get to see.
A lot of Facebook users have group chats where numerous people are able to chat together, preppers included. For example, messenger is used to share ideas and new gear with my prepping buddies.
However, a buddy of mine received a ban from Facebook for something he was talking about through the messenger service. At first he only suspected the discussion got him banned, but recent news affirmed the suspicion.
Facebook scans the contents of messages that people send each other on its Messenger app blocking any that contravene its guidelines, it has emerged.
The scandal-hit firm, still reeling from revelations surrounding Cambridge Analytica, checks images and texts to ensure they are in line with its community standards.
While the intentions behind the practice may be well-meaning, the news is likely to add to users’ concerns over what the social network knows about them.
Opinion
It is easy to forget Big Brother is watching.
Before Facebook, people would worry about their Hotmail accounts being read, or Google logging everything.
Now with Facebook, we give the company everything they need to build a profile about the user.
We provide:
- Employment history
- Education
- Friends
- Family
- Pictures of our everyday life… etc.
Everything about us is logged into the Facebook database.
So why is it a big surprise when Facebook used all that information to run targeted ads? We gave the company everything they needed to know.
What came as a surprise was Mark Zuckerberg admitting Facebook scanned the messenger service. It appears Facebook has taken an unhealthy obsession in our most personal details.
Also, news has come out talking about how the Facebook app logs just about everything someone does on their phone. Such as logging phone calls, and non-Facebook text messages. Maybe it is time to ease up on how much information we provide sites like Facebook?
On a personal note, I am about ready to delete the Facbook app off my phone.
What does the reader think about the privacy issue? Are we handing over too much of our information?
