Impact of Social Media on Privacy (Essay Sample)

Impact of Social Media on Privacy Student's Name Institution Introduction By thriving on inherent human need for communication and socialisation, Social Networking sites (SNSs), have seen an explosion in popularity unparalleled to any web application in history, to develop into a human culture and how society interacts in today's world. Hence, SNSs have become a platform not just for general population, but also for governments, famous personalities to connect and expression opinions on anything that one might be of interest to them. With user base over 600 billion, Facebook has emerged to be the most widely used SNS ever (Cha, 2010). Huge user base has created host of data and information pertaining to every individual registered with Facebook and many other online SNSs. For example, personal information like contact details, age, location, academic qualification are some key information which every user shares it with large degree of openness. Unfortunately, such personal information have become the target for data broker companies and other third party operators. Without careful considering, by an overwhelmingly large section of users, with regard to privacy of their information is the main reason responsible for a large pool of sensitive data that then gets compromised in one way or the other by SNSs for monetary motive. Fluctuations of privacy policy of SNSs to suit their interest has generated massive rage, especially among the older segments of the population (Taddicken, 2014). Because of SNSs, like Facebook, large user base, and large amount of personal information, they have been exploited by SNSs themselves for financial gain attempting to compromise the preconceived norms of data protection guaranteed by all the SNSs. SNSs entice people to register with them. Importantly, disclosing private information is necessary to network on such websites. Hence, understandably, such negligent behaviour by the SNSs has generated massive controversy and wide ranging debate over the suitability of such forums as a means of engaging in both a public and private way. Hence, it would not be wrong to assert that personal privacy related to information used to register in SNSs has suffered as a result of it (Sattikar & Kulkarni, 2011). Positive Aspects of Social Networking There are a number of unique advantages associated with SNSs. As a convenient stage of expressing oneself, it provides a sense of independence, and easily incites any literate individual to be part of it. Further, people can easily vent their anger on an issue that might not be possible on a personal level. Further, SNSs is an increasing need of today's fast paced life, which makes keeping in touch with friends other very difficult. Therefore, by being on the friend's list, an individual can keep knowing about the person which will be difficult otherwise. However, since information provided can be viewed by everyone, so, such a prospect inevitably leads to doubts over privacy concerns over things shared openly (Cha, 2010). Mark Zuckerberg admission in 2010 that since individuals are now more comfortable with public display of their personal data continues to generate massive controversy. By compromising the privacy setting of its user base, such a follow up was needed to defend company's action. Found to be selling user's information to advertisers and other third parties just reveals how grave the situation is for users. Therefore, it is essential to take all steps forward to maintain the sanctity of users' data (Taddicken, 2014). Social Networking Sites: A threat to Personal Privacy Point 1 of the Claim Sustaining of personal integrity with reference to any issues or matter without being inhibited by external forces, including individual and organizations, refers to privacy. Community Websites are the most susceptible because of high prevalence of sharing of contact and other private information. Therefore, therefore, increases the susceptibility of such platforms and raises severe serious doubts as benign nature of individuals registered in the community (Das & Sahoo, 2012). A 2010 research by Max Plank Institute disclosed that algorithm created for analysing the personal traits of the person based on information that are most often left public, for instance, number of friends, educational attainment, hometown, etc. was operative enough to be applicable by data broker companies (Taddicken, 2014). Opportunistic behaviour may include a range of actions taken by others who use or misuse an individual's personal information, for example, identity theft, social engineering to extract one's financial information, and spam (Sattikar & Kulkarni, 2011). With the proliferation of internet, we believe an important factor that contributes to shaping the individual's internet privacy is his or her level of internet literacy. Lack of systematic research on how various social attributes contributes to lack of faith in sharing private information is a concern. But, there is a growing evidence that suggests that the concern of users to manage the secrecy of their information has definitely increased over time (Chewae, Hayikader, Hasan & Ibrahim, 2015). Point 2 of the Claim Facebook's profile usage replicates behaviour similar to tribal population, wherein the user's identity status depends exclusively on the quantity and quality of friends on one's friend's list (Utz, & Kramer, 2009). The personal information of the user determines how the user will use his identity to interact with individuals. Research conducted by Amanda and Mary reinforce social norms and attitude that accompanies gender difference. For females, SNSs is tool that rejuvenates their previous relationships. On the other hand, boys have been found to notorious with SNSs and try to indulge in activities not appropriate, for instance, flirting with females and harassment of other individuals, etc. (Utz, & Kramer, 2009). Therefore, discreditable elements might use it as a platform to tarnish other's image. Therefore, personal privacy, if it gets into the hands of unwanted individuals could have serious repercussions. A recent survey in the year 2013 conducted by Pew reveals that apprehension over the confidentiality of personal information has gone up to 50% as against 30% in the year 2009 (Blank, Bolsover, Dubois, 2014). Point 3 of the Claim Ironically, the behaviour patterns of users of SNSs do seem to corroborate their apprehension of privacy with respect to their information. ‘Privacy Paradox,' as this is called possibly emanates from lack of understanding and/or awareness on how to protect their secluded material. The blatant revealing of personal data by younger generation and, at the same time, the constant struggle of older generation to safeguard of the sanctity of personal data have led to an emergence of privacy paradox between them. This apparent non convergence of views can rightly be labelled as generational split (Molluzo, Lawler & Doshi, 2012). Extensive rage over U.S. National Security Administration's admission of collecting data and other details of its citizens through their use of SNSs has generated debated on the media with activists arguing that citizen's personal information cannot be misuse...