There’s been some talk that’s popped up on the internet radar that I’ve seen over the last week about bailing from Facebook on May 31st, 2010. A “Mass Exodus” sort of speaks over the privacy of personal data that may reside on individual Facebook accounts. There’s even a web page for the “Mass Exodus” over at http://www.quitfacebookday.com/ .
Now concerning the “privacy of personal data” on Facebook, I do recall this past April 27, 2010 of a new Facebook privacy setting update for me, as well as others using Facebook, called “Instant Personalization” that shares data with non-Facebook websites and it is automatically set to "Allow.”In order to remove this “Instant Personalization” setting form “Allow” to “NOT ALLOW” you simply go to Account > Privacy Settings > Applications and Websites and then uncheck "Allow". Again you have to “UNCHECK” the box to “NOT ALLOW.”
Oh, by the way I am a Facebook user for a little over a year now. I find using Facebook pretty good in maintaining contacts with family members, friends (both current & old).
Matter fact it was a few good friends that informed me of the “Instant Personalization” setting and advised me it's best to uncheck for better “privacy of personal data” when using Facebook. Seemed like a good idea and I took their advice and did the simple instructions that updated my security posture on my Facebook account.
Will I be taking part in the “Quit Facebook Day” on May 31st, 2010? Probably not because the reason given to quit is “Sick of Facebook's lack of respect for your data? Add your name and commit to quit!” is somewhat… well…lacking. Facebook in my opinion is providing a pretty good online social service for us all on the internet to meet up on and I think they respect to a certain degree all those that have an account. Of course I’m not going to put my life story and bank account numbers or other really, really personal information. Let me see…something to the affect of…ummmm…using common sense comes to mind.
We are all responsible for what we do and what we say in this world we live in. At least that’s the way I was brought up. I have at times not shut up when it’s best not to say anything and found myself in a pickle or sort. We live & learn, part of life’s lessons, and hopefully for the better.
There have been a few examples in the pass weeks of an individual’s sort of getting caught in what I would call a Facebook Pickle…
The first Facebook Pickle being about how a “Facebook post costs waitress her job”. Basically waitress waits on customer, and custom ore leaves a less then fair tip for services. The waitress cries/complains about it on Facebook, and then waitress’ boss sees the Facebook post. The result from the waitress’ boss is that this was “…violating company policy against speaking disparagingly about customers. … “ and that a another policy was broke by “… casting the restaurant in a negative light on social networks. …” Sometimes it’s always best just to let it go and not cross a line in such a public place that Facebook can become to vent off to where it comes back to bite you.
The second Facebook Pickle happen last week when five fire fighters from McMinnville City, Tennessee posting on Facebook while on duty. The five fire fighters were using laptops that they owned but they were doing their Facebook posting while on the City McMinnville’s time. I would take it that there is a city policy that while you are on duty, apparently, you are not allowed to doing this type of activity because the five firefighters were given & received an oral reprimand and a copy of the incident was placed in their employment records. Basically a slap on the wrist but hopefully a lesson learned not only by the fire fighters but for the city government also to ensure that all policies are clearly stated, and if there is a gray area then explain it to where there is none.
We all must educate our selves with the uses and changes when dealing with Facebook. We all make choices and hopefully they are the best choices. Everyone is putting something online with the result being someone will see it. I put this blog post online for others to see & read and to learn a little.
As far as “Facebook Privacy” goes you have to do it with a “K.I.S.S.” (Keep It Simple Stupid) and in the following video from our very good online friend Chris Pirillo, over on http://chris.pirillo.com/ , the simplicity of being careful couldn’t be made anymore simple. Thank-you Chris for the best advise one could use on their Facebook account, greatly appreciated. View and enjoy…
Chris Pirillo’s perfect two-step plan to help solve the problem of me To Facebook or Not Facebook?
Step 1: STOP SHARING SHIT ONLINE THAT YOU DON’T WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW.
Step 2: Repeat step 1.
This simple two-step plan can apply to Twitter, YouTube, Home Web Pages, Blogs, and even emails. Once it’s out there, it’s out there, so take responsibility and be careful just like anything we do in our daily lives.
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
