Facebook’s newest version is on its way to your computer. Timeline hasn’t even made a widespread appearance yet, and it’s already causing people to bring up some privacy concerns. As with all things Facebook, this newest version has its good points and its bad points. However, if you read the Privacy Policy and take the time to set your privacy controls, you should be able to continue on with your love of Facebook without too much worry.
Most of the issues raised about Timeline involve the new feature, “Maps”. This feature takes all of the information you ever posted to Facebook…events, locations, jobs, pictures…and uses it to “map” your Facebook life. All of your friends will be able to see where you’ve been, what you’ve done and who you’ve been with. All of this information is posted on your wall along with the dates that each particular thing happened. This is one feature that you cannot opt out of.
According to Facebook’s Privacy Policy: “We receive data from the computer, mobile phone or other device you use to access Facebook. This may include your IP address, location, the type of browser you use, or the pages you visit.” When you agree to the Terms and Conditions, you are letting Facebook know that you have read, and understood everything in their policies. You should know and understand that there is information gathered about you and that information will be shared with others in the Facebook community.
Each time you or a friend uploads a picture to Facebook from a GPS enabled phone, you are tagged to the location and the information goes on your “map”. Whenever you update your profile to show a new home town, or new job, that information will also have a place on your “map”. Even if you don’t update often, your map will show past updates, pictures and posts regarding your life events.
Even your choice of music will be public knowledge if you listen using Spotify. When Spotify first became available, you had no say in the posting of what you were listening to. Due to an outcry from users, you are now offered an option called “Private Listening”. There is a slight problem with this though: if you restart the application for whatever reason, or you don’t use it often, you have to remember to reset the “Private Listening” option.
Now, think of all the times you posted an RSVP on Facebook by clicking on “Will Attend” to an event. Also, how often do you click on the “Like” button for a particular product, cause or service? Each time you do this, the people on your friends list will be asked to either attend or “like” because you are “attending” or that you “Like” them.
Another thing you need to be aware of is that if you use an app to read an article on line, and that app asks for permission to “Allow” your information to be used, you are not just allowing for that one particular time. You are “allowing” that app to get your information every single time you read something. Each time you read an article, that information will be posted on your Facebook wall. If you don’t want people to know what you’re reading, don’t click on “Allow” unless you think very carefully about what this would mean at a later date.
Yes, this is a lot for you to have to think about, but isn’t your privacy worth taking a little bit of time and effort? Read and fully understand all of Facebook’s policies, then once your account is switched over to Timeline, carefully select the privacy preferences you feel most comfortable with. And, please remember that clicking on “Attending” or “Like” isn’t as harmless as you would have thought when it comes to your privacy.
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