Facebook is one of the world’s most-popular electronic
social networks, used by individuals, organizations, and corporations alike to
share news, interests, opinion, and anything else that they think is worth
sharing. But while Facebook gives
everyone a free, open, worldwide electronic forum, there are some things that
people would rather share only with a more limited audience, such as their
family and close friends. Or in some cases, just keep to themselves entirely. And while Facebook today has more resources
available that can help its users take more control of their privacy, as
recently as 2010, not only Mark Zuckerburg, Facebook’s founder, had said that
the “age of privacy” is dead, but Facebook had features that favor advertisers
more than users, with several hurdles that its users had to jump in order to
get to their comfort zone in terms of privacy. (Brodkin, 2010)
Legitimate Claims to Privacy
In the United States, the privacy of citizens is guaranteed
by the First Amendment, which deals with freedom of speech; and the Fourth
Amendment, which is about unreasonable search and seizure, as well as the right
to due process. In addition, there are
also several laws on the books that guarantee privacy in various situations;
these laws include the Privacy Act of 1974, and the Children’s Online Privacy
Protection Act of 1998. Privacy laws passed since 1973 follow a protocol
mandated by the Federal Trade Commission, called “Fair Information Practices”. (Laudon
& Laudon, 2014)
Sharing Privacy Controls
The privacy controls available on Facebook give the user
flexibility on who should see what posts or photos. The allowable “audience” can range from
everyone, to just their circle of Facebook friends, to just their close
friends, or even just the users themselves. These controls also help enable the user to
control how much of their personal information that their friends, or even
total strangers, could see. ("Facebook
privacy controls," 2010) However, just like seat belts, privacy controls
only work when you use them – a Consumer Reports survey in 2012 reported
that 13 million users in the US do not use privacy controls, or are not aware
of them. Also, 28% share their posts outside their circle of friends, while
only 37% utilize privacy controls in any fashion. As many users are rather open, or even frank,
on personal topics such as drinking and romance, this is of concern.
("Facebook users," 2012)
Facial Recognition
Facial Recognition
The usage of facial recognition on Facebook makes it more
easier for users to “tag” (identify) their friends in the photos they
upload. However, privacy advocates have
concern that people could be tagged on the photos of strangers without their
knowledge. In addition, facial recognition could be used as a way to push
targeted advertising to Facebook’s users. As the use of facial recognition had
been used by other institutions and firms for marketing and security purposes, its
use by Facebook, used worldwide by many millions of people, was seen as a very
serious threat to privacy. (Mello, Jr., 2011) Soon after privacy concerns
became widespread, Facebook announced that it would make it more easier for its
users to opt out of ads generated by facial recognition, as well as having a
say in whether or not they should be tagged in others’ pictures. ("
Facebook Facial," 2011)
References:
Laudon, K. C., &
Laudon, J. P. (2014). Management information systems: Managing the digital
firm. (13th ed., pp 132-133). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Learning
Solutions.
Brodkin, J. (2010, May
06). Consumer Groups Hammer Facebook Privacy Violations in Federal Complaint;
FTC Urged to Overturn Recent Facebook Privacy Changes. Network World, Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.db24.linccweb.org/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A225847177&v=2.1&u=lincclin_spjc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
Facebook privacy controls
revamped for simplicity 796508. (2010, May 26). eWeek, Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.db24.linccweb.org/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A227430698&v=2.1&u=lincclin_spjc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
Facebook users by the
million ignore privacy controls Consumer Reports 567381 (2012, May 03). eWeek,
Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.db24.linccweb.org/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A288579505&v=2.1&u=lincclin_spjc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
Mello, Jr., J. P. (2011,
December). Facial recognition beyond Facebook: photo matching on social networks
is just the start. As government officials and advertisers use the technology,
will your privacy suffer? PC World, 29(12), 13. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.db24.linccweb.org/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A272737865&v=2.1&u=lincclin_spjc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
Facebook Facial
Recognition Gets Easier Opt Out Jepsen 606742 (2011, July 27). eWeek,
Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.db24.linccweb.org/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A262669730&v=2.1&u=lincclin_spjc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w
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