Better The Devil You Know

It’s uncommon these days to find a person who doesn’t use some kind of social media to stay in touch with friends or family and keep up with the news or their favourite brands. While there are good reasons for using it, many users are unaware of the privacy and security risks that go along with it. It might be boring, but it’s important to have a reasonable idea of what happens to our personal data.

I’m guilty of not reading End User Licence Agreements (EULA) or clicking ‘Agree’ without really looking at the Privacy Policy for apps or websites before using them. They’re boring, often hard to understand, and some are so long. Statistics confirm that I’m not the only one. If there’s anyone who reads all of them I’d take a stab and say they’re probably great fun at parties, or maybe not. I think we all know that when we sign up for a service that our information is going to be used to for something other than simply logging in. But do we really know what that might be? Or what the consequences of that use are?

It seems that most users of Facebook, for example, aren’t really concerned about where their data goes or what it will be used for. A 2010 study discussed by Anja Bechmann tells us that most users are more concerned about ‘social privacy’ rather than ‘institutional privacy’. Basically, people don’t care if Facebook and their stakeholders see what they’re doing, but please don’t let Aunt Bertha know that you fell asleep in the garden after that party last weekend. We generally consider that any risks that come with the sharing of our data are offset by the convenience that an app might give us, or the social inclusion if our friends are using it, or maybe if we Like that page we enter a competition. That being said, we should probably still have some idea about what we’re signing up for.

Often we’ll learn of an app via friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. They might use it and love it so want you to benefit as well. Or maybe it will make keeping touch with distant friends easier. There are numerous reasons, but the gist is, that we are more accepting of any risks that might come with using an app if a recommendation comes from someone we trust. And if your cousin is using it without any drama then it’s got to be OK and there’s no reason to waste time reading the Privacy Policy, right? Not so much.

For example, did you know that Facebook monitors your devices, usage, the websites you visit, the things you buy…. and so on… whether you are logged into Facebook or not? Sometimes even if you don’t have a Facebook account but you view a public page or post on the site. Facebook collects metadata from photos you post including location (even if location services is turned off), and more if you take those photos using the camera facility within the platform. It can also access other information from the device you use to view Facebook including phone logs, hashtags, texts, and contacts.

If you make a financial transaction like an in-game purchase or a donation it gets a bit more worrisome. Collected data can include:

“…payment information, such as your credit or debit card number and other card information, other account and authentication information, and billing, delivery and contact details.”

Eeek!

Most users expect that Facebook tracks things like the Pages you like and interact with and your Friends list. Have you ever wondered how you can search Google for a new sofa then suddenly get all the furniture ads on Facebook? That’s right, Facebook accesses all of that data to share with their advertisers in order to target advertising to your interests. Of course, you can opt out of targeted advertising. It’s in Facebook Settings and is easy to do, but it won’t remove them completely. You’ll still get ads, they’re just unlikely to be for products that interest you. It can be fun though to see the random items that can pop up!

Naturally, there are ways to use social media while keeping some control of your data but it’s extremely limiting. For instance, you could remove any location data that apps can access by simply not using any service that needs to know your location. Just don’t geotag your photos, right? Ah no. Also don’t use Google Maps, GPS, or Uber. Don’t check the weather, road conditions, or search for a restaurant in your neighbourhood. Don’t make an appointment for anything using an online booking system, and definitely don’t check-in anywhere. And forget about using Find My iPhone! Sounds like fun huh?

You might think that sharing your posts with Friends Only means your data is private, but I think you can see how untrue that is. To paraphrase an old adage ‘if the product is free, you are the product’. While we don’t pay for the use of Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites, we earn our keep by supplying a constant stream of valuable data. Unlike many other privacy or data policies, Facebook’s is actually quite easy to read and understand. I recommend taking a look just so you have some idea about what you’re really sharing. Keep in mind that most social networking sites and other apps have similar policies. It seems pretty unfair, but there is always a choice. Be informed, but don’t overthink it. And remember, if all your friends are doing it, how bad can it be?


This post forms part of a university assignment. See comments for references and further reading.

Love is love... if only Government agreed...

You know I've blogged about marriage equality in the past, so my feelings on the subject are no secret. My tweep @jonquil_w has sent a submission to the Parliament Marriage Equality Survey and I offered to share it here.

I don't talk about marriage equality much, because I think it is something that should exist without ideological or religious debate, but I felt I had to submit this and I want it on record as my stance. 

[Reasons for supporting Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012.]

Recognising a domestic relationship in law by means of marriage is an issue of governance and attribution of legal rights and responsibilities. Such attribution must be based on the existence of the relationship, not any ingredients of it, the substance of which do not effect the consensual basis of the union. We have no more reason to deny marriage to same sex couples than we do to any person of any gender, race or religion. It is not a matter for competing ideologies, but of a common, basic ideology that favours human rights and access to legal protections above all else.

Our current system forces same sex couples to live as de facto couples. The right to live, but not to be recognised or protected, even if they should choose to be so recognised and protected. Having to argue for the recognition of what already exists de facto - in fact - is fundamentally inequitable of itself. A society does not deign to afford people rights as though they were privileges; it grants rights on the understanding and sorrow that they have not been granted to date and should have. Please, can Australia afford everyone this respect and end discrimination.

You can participate in the survey until 20 April, 2012. Let's make a lot of noise and try to get relevant ignorant politicians to see sense!

 

Sunday Session

Kirrily at Sunny Side Up joined in her very first Sunday Session with Thea at Do I Really Wanna Blog? and has inspired me to do the same. I don't know why I haven't done it before, it's a quick, simple post and suits me perfectly!

Music has always played a big part in my life, from spending nights as a teen in my room listening to the Top 9 at 9 (or whatever number the local radio station chose at the time!), to working in the industry in various ways. These days there's a lot of Wiggles mixed in with my usual music choices, but I still love to discover new songs that grab my attention.

I've never really been a fan of hip hop/rap, but this week I was introduced to Hilltop Hoods and on recommendation I downloaded the album. It's been on repeat ever since. The song "I Love It" (featuring Sia) grabbed me the first time I heard it. I think it's safe to say, I love it!

I'd love to know what new music has gotten your attention lately!

Child's Play

Our school was on the news yesterday after a parent called the TV station to voice their horror at something written in the school newsletter.

In part:

Some school activities and physical education, particularly contact sports, carry inherent risks of injury. Parents are advised the Dept of Education & Training does not have student accident insurance cover for students. If your child is injured at school as a result of an accident or incident, all costs associated with the injury, including medical costs are the responsibility of the parent or caregiver.

Student accident insurance pays some benefits in certain circumstances should your child have an accident.

The "whistle-blowing" parent was seemingly put-out at the thought of paying their own medical costs when little Mary falls off the monkey bars, and didn't like being told to take out insurance. Even though, at no point, was it deemed compulsory.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the way things have always been? At least in Government schools. It definitely was when I, in year 7, broke my ankle doing gymnastics in PE. The school is held responsible in situations where an accident has occurred due to negligence on their part, of course, but otherwise, deal with it the same way parents always have.

For some, insurance might be the way to go, that's a personal choice. Given the responses of some parents I actually think the school has done a good thing reminding families of the way things work. The news story actually pointed out that some private schools include student insurance as part of their annual fees, but is it really necessary?

Have you heard of student accident insurance? Does your school offer it? Has the world gone mad?

Movember!

As October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, drew to a close, men everywhere started baring their faces in preparation for Movember. "Movember?" you ask. "What is Movember?"

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Australia and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men.

Of course, there is a lot more information on the Movember website.

In Australia the funds go specifically to Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. This initiative is particularly important because, as we know, men generally aren't exactly keen on seeing Doctors or asking for help. It's all about awareness.

Obviously growing a mo isn't for everyone, let's face it, there are some men who struggle in the facial hair department. And most women would have a problem too. But there are other ways you can help. You can donate money to someone you know who has registered to grow a mo, to a team, or make a general donation. You can also contribute by purchasing Movember merchandise.

I'll be donating to a few friends for their efforts, and even Thing1's male teachers have formed a team to join in! If you're on Twitter, here are a selection of tweeps who are doing their bit. Why not make a donation to one of them?

@greyko Donate here

@scuzzi_au Donate here

@PuppyOnTheRadio Donate here

@GhostofSirJoh Donate here

@LaceySnr Donate here

@matchtrick Donate here

Coolum State School team