The paradigm of online privacy has shifted in the past decade, notably due to the introduction of social networking platforms and the developments in Web 2.0. Facebook is the focal point of social media, most students in this class are familiar with technology, and are likely active on Facebook, or another social media platform. Despite the popularity of social networking, users have raised concerns about their online privacy, both on a professional and personal level; please see the problems below pertaining to these topics and select one which is more relevant to your life to discuss in more detail.
Professionally:
1. Recently certain organizations have begun asking employees for Facebook usernames and passwords as part of their employment contract, and in some cases during the application process; The Maryland Department of Corrections came under fire in 2012 for screening candidates social media profiles (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401999,00.asp). Do you feel this practice should be allowed and used at the discretion of organizations, or should policies be instituted to prevent employers from taking these steps? Also, have you been in a situation where an employer has asked to review your social media profile? If so, how did you act? If not, prepare out a dialogue of how the conversation would go: What would you say, and how would you back up your stance with credible resources?
Personally:
2. Social networking is one of the most popular and utilized components of the Internet. Despite the large user base social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram have begun adjusting user agreements to grant more control over user data and uploads, which has given rise to concerns about user privacy. How would you feel about an organization capturing all of your social networking activity to better target advertisements? More importantly, what is the tipping point in user privacy for you to stop using a social networking service?
Here are a few links to articles I referenced when crafting this online moderation; please feel free to check them out, share opinions, and add to the list!
Facebook user activity statistics:
Golijan, Rosa. "Consumer Reports: Facebook privacy problems are on the rise." NBC News Technology. 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .
User responses to Facebook user policy updates:
Fox News. "Mark Zuckerberg's Sister Complains of Facebook Privacy Issues." Fox News. 26 Dec 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .
Popkin, Helen. "Facebook policy Change Results in Hysteria - and a Hoax." NBC News Technology. Dec 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .
Sydell, Laura. "Yet Another Shift In Facebook Policies Raises Privacy Concerns." NPR. 29 Nov 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .
Companies checking Facebook activity:
Horn, Leslie. "Trend Watch: Employers Asking Candidates For Facebook Passwords." PGMag.com. 22 Mar 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .
Kessler, Sarah. "Facebook Isn't Suing Employers Who Ask for Your Password ... Yet." Mashable. 26 Mar 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .
Morrison, Tony. "What to Do When A Potential Employer Asks for Your Facebook Password." Mashable. 08 Apr 2012: n. page. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. .