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Social Media

Introduction

Social media platforms have revolutionized how we connect and share information since the early 2000s. These platforms, while offering unprecedented connectivity, have become some of the most sophisticated data collection systems in history, gathering extensive information about users’ behaviors, preferences, and relationships.

Providers

Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads)

The world’s largest social media company has faced numerous privacy scandals. In 2018, the Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed that 87 million users’ data was harvested without consent. Meta’s platforms continuously track user behavior both on and off their platforms through tracking pixels and social plugins.

TikTok

Owned by ByteDance, TikTok has faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and potential ties to the Chinese government. In 2022, TikTok admitted that employees in China could access U.S. user data, leading to increased concerns about data privacy and national security.

Twitter (X)

While historically having better privacy practices, recent changes under new ownership have raised concerns. The platform has been criticized for removing some privacy protections and making previously private user engagement data more accessible.

LinkedIn

Microsoft’s professional network collects extensive professional and behavioral data. The platform has faced criticism for its aggressive data collection practices, including the scanning of private clipboard data and gathering of email contacts.

Recommendations

  1. Maintain separate personal and professional social media accounts
  2. Use privacy-focused browsers and consider blocking social media tracking pixels
  3. Regularly audit your privacy settings and connected third-party apps
  4. Be selective about the personal information you share, especially location data
  5. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication

Actions

  • Review and update privacy settings on all your social media accounts
  • Remove unnecessary third-party app connections from your accounts
  • Disable location sharing features unless absolutely necessary
  • Review and delete old posts that contain sensitive personal information
  • Set up two-factor authentication on all social media accounts
  • Clear social media cookies and cache from your browsers
  • Review and update your friend/follower lists