Personal privacy has also been my biggest concern as I explore the world on the Internet via social network sites.  Of course the big daddy all social network sites is Facebook and for all it allows us to share and collaborate with our friends and family, it continues to fail in helping protect us from the demons and denizens that crawl through cyber space.

When I first opened my Facebook account, I really did so without thinking of the ramifications of sharing “me” to the Internet at large.  Of course, I really thought that the information I was putting on my page, was really only for my eyes and the eyes of my friends.  In general, I was correct; Facebook at the beginning was confining my info to at the worst, all Facebook users.  It was safe with the default, but as time has passed Facebook has continue to make my information more and more “available”.  

Now I could explain this rapid transition, but here is a graphic that does a far better job than I could ever put in words (http://www.mattmckeon.com/facebook-privacy/, Thanks Matt).  The graphic shows how the default new account settings altered over time.  In none of these transitions as the change has been to benefit the user.  I have repeatedly had to re-secure my Facebook page in hopes to maintain some semblance of privacy.  Many times, I feel I am repeating my work in an effort that at times, seems futile.

I think it is sad that someone like me, who claims to be technically perceptive, has to wonder whether my account is safe from the prying eyes of others.  I should not have to create my own security hierarchy to protect myself, but that is where things have gone.  I have to create groups for my family, friends, high school classmates, softball teammates, etc.   I am glad that they have methods for testing how people view your account, but it does not make me feel like they have my best interest at heart.  It is too much to ask of someone who does not live in the tech world.

 I feel that much of this comes down to trust.  Trust is a funny thing that can truly only be earned one time.  Once it has been lost, it is never the same.  You can’t earn it back because the seeds of doubt will always grow.  Each time Facebook has degraded my personal security they have poured more water on those seeds.  I do my best to lock down my account, but I find myself stripping information away from my account rather than sharing.  I cannot trust Facebook to have my best interest at heart anymore.

Imagine if you would, that your credit card company started sharing your personal info with people.  What would you do?  How would you react?  I do not think our reaction should be much different in respect to how Facebook treats its clientele.  I know this is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the similarities are there for everyone to see.  I want to share “me”, but with only the people, I want to share who I am.  Your bank understands that for the most part and goes to lengths to protect you while Facebook does the opposite.

I continue to be vigilant with my Facebook account, to protect my friends and myself.  I know that the changes they make are to a certain extent, out of my control.  I am fine with that, but I does not mean I cannot change my habits or usage to protect myself.  If it means sharing less and communicating, more infrequently than that is what I will do.  If Facebook continues to spiral in a direction I am not comfortable with, I will relegate myself to removing all my content or deleting my account.  I am hoping it does not come to that.