This is Private

       Recently, in class, we read and talked about privacy. It was mostly about privacy on the internet and how we do not really have much of it. Privacy to me is the choice on whether or not you want to share information, pictures, etc. of yourself or moments in your life. It also means choosing how much attention you want to receive.  In this post I will cover 3 points of privacy in the media; such as social networking affecting business, possessions of post, and privacy contracts.

 

       A constant complaint over the internet is that people the websites privacy settings and guidelines are not private enough. Some accounts were just made for personal life which usually includes friends and family who are not judging your actions on the internet because they know you. However, when a person applies for jobs all their personals become visible in any standard background check. I find this unfair because then whatever you post or were tagged in becomes a factor on whether or not you can get or keep a job. It is true that you can choose what you post and currently most people know to choose wisely but people still don't have control of what pictures or other information about them may get posted by another person. Not to mention social networks were made just so friends can have an update on your life and what you do on your free time. I feel that if I was an employer as long as you do not connect your business profile with your personal profile and you don't have anything in the name of your business on your personal profile, then it should not affect my decision on whether to hire someone or not. I understand companies saying that it looks bad for the company if a person of importance see's your other profile but that person must also understand that this is your personal profile to show that you have a life too. Maybe their friends do not take pictures at every event or outing but common people do because it makes the best memories.

       Though we are constantly being filmed and shot by our friends does not mean we want our moments shown to everyone in the world. Social networks were made to share things to your family and friends so why do these corporations think its acceptable for them to use these photos and post however they please? Many people can argue that people knew when they were signing nothing was ever really private so they should have been aware that to only post things they do not care if their job sees. I feel like that ruins the whole freedom aspect of social media. Another argument is that this is all written in the privacy contract.

       Although they make sure you agree to the privacy contract, the contract is usually unnecessarily long full of legal terms that the common user may not understand. Not to mention once you sign on its really hard to find. Most people click it with out a second thought because of past experiences with other programs and long contracts. So I do not think they really made these contracts for anyone to read or understand. If they really wanted someone to read it, the contract would be in laymen terms and much shorter or at least an page that covers all the main points.
         In conclusion, I think we lost all privacy and in the not so distant future these things you post on social media may in fact only affect your social life. However, until then we, the people of the internet, have to post like our boss is reading. Contrary to what most people are forced to post, I believe no matter how educated the person is in legal contracts we all should have a fair shot at privacy.