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User privacy is vital now that almost everything (and everyone) is online. One way or another, our personal data like bank details, government documents, and private files like photos is stored using the Internet through drives or a collective Cloud. And with the ease of uploading these files comes the critical consideration of user security.
Navigating the evolving landscape of user privacy on social media requires awareness, vigilance, and proactive measures to protect personal data and mitigate potential risks. Here are six strategies to help users safeguard their privacy:
Social media platforms often provide granular privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their posts, photos, and personal information. Regularly review and adjust these settings to ensure that only desired audiences have access to your content.
Pay particular attention to default privacy settings when creating new accounts or after platform updates, as they may change without notice. Social media platforms have different settings, so you will have to go through each one to ensure maximum security.
Be cautious about sharing sensitive personal information, such as your full name, address, phone number, or financial details, on social media. Consider the potential consequences of making this information public and refrain from disclosing more than necessary. The more strangers know, the more danger online your data might be facing.
Avoid posting information that could be used to identify or locate you offline (like photos of you in front of your home’s entrance, or pinning your location on Instagram Stories in real time), especially if you have concerns about safety or security. There have been cases of hacking through public networks, so tamp down on the excitement and save the sharing for people you know.
Exercise discretion when accepting friend requests or approving follower requests on social media. Verify the identities of unfamiliar individuals before connecting with them, especially if you have privacy concerns. Remember that accepting requests from strangers can increase the risk of unauthorized access to your personal information and exposure to malicious actors, so check accounts before accepting them.
A good rule of thumb to check for is how old an account is. Brand new accounts with nothing on their page are a red flag. Another way to verify if the account is fake is by running the profile photos through a reverse image search on Google.
That Twitter thread of your work rants could end up in the wrong email as screenshots, so practice mindful posting and think critically about the content you share on social media. Consider the potential implications of your posts on your privacy, reputation, and safety, as well as the privacy of others. Avoid sharing sensitive or confidential information publicly, and be mindful of the permanence of digital content, even if you delete it later.
Moms on social media have taken to posting photos and videos of their underage kids less, and young students in school are encouraged to do so as well for themselves, knowing the possibility of real-life harm that their data could fall into. Nowadays less isn’t just more–it’s safe.
Protect your social media accounts with strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess or brute-force. Avoid using easily guessable passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts, as this can compromise the security of your accounts. Password that you use across different platforms also need changing and updating.
Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords securely. Nowadays, it’s doable to ask your IT Manager at the office for recommendations or even access to reputable password manager apps. Make sure to ask!
Keep yourself informed about the privacy policies, terms of service, and data handling practices of the social media platforms you use. Regularly review updates to these policies and be aware of any changes that may affect your privacy rights or data protection. Take advantage of privacy-enhancing features and tools provided by social media platforms, such as two-factor authentication, encryption, and data access controls.
By following these strategies and staying vigilant about privacy risks, users can navigate the evolving landscape of user privacy on social media more effectively and protect their personal information from unauthorized access or misuse.
Paulo Rizal is a content producer for Comms Room. He writes content around popular media, journalism, social media, and more.
