These days are certainly different days of the past.
This isn’t about phobias or conspiracies or anything you can use to belittle this. This is about self respect.
In the past we took everything to the highest level of precaution to avoid giving away our personal information . We refused to give up our date of birth, our names of any sort, and we kept our images to a minimum. In fear of identity theft.
We learned that there is a simple method of finding someone’s social security number simply by knowing where they were born, their name and the day they were born. Back in those days, a “security question” asking what your mother’s maiden name is, was a red flag. A darn good red flag. There is no reason for that question on any website. Especially banks. If they don’t need that information to give you credit, then they do not need that information for anything else, so they should never ask that question. even as a “security question”.
Today we give up everything and laugh at those who do not. We will post our face on the internet, our first and last name, pin our home address in public maps, we tag our family and share that information to the public as if it validates our love for one an other. We post pictures of people, without their consent and think it totally irrational for them to object. Don’t believe me? Ask someone not to post your picture and watch how they react. Typically they will act as if they agree with you, then they will fidget, and mock you for being weird or paranoid about it. They will then tell you that your are too attractive to not share your image, then they will erupt in anger to you. Then they will plea to you. Then they will disconnect themselves from you.
Try this. Take every photo of yourself offline. Request all of your friends to take down photos that contain you in them. If you think that part is too hard, then you might want to rethink your privacy thus far. Now next time you are a party, Avoid the cameras, because the person taking the pictures isn’t going to understand your wants of privacy. So it’s easier to just walk away from the pictures. When they notice what you are trying to do, it then becomes a sport to post your picture on the internet without your consent.
I have observed this for well on 18 years now. This is a fact. and it is very offensive the way people get with photos. and because I am so offended by it, it leaves me snapping at people who are actual friends or girlfriends when they just ask what they think is a very normal question. ” Why can’t I have a picture of us together online to show my friends and family what you look like”. Quite often they will assume you just don’t want to be seen with them. Which further proves how far we have sunken into just trusting things at the value they were described to you, instead of what we can see is really happening.
All of this, I blame on Facebook. In their methods of getting more information from you to sell to potential customers, they keep changing the way you use the site, and changing the rules to the site, so often you have no desire to read the rules and terms of use.ny allowing you certain features if ou give up other forms of privacy. They are the owners of Instagram and just announced a week ago that Instagram has the rights to sell your photos to advertisers who would like to use them in their advertisements. Offering you no compensation. Then with in hours they 360’d that claim and said they never would do such a thing. Just 4 years ago, Facebook made the same claim on it’s main site, and that option is still readily in their hands at all times. Just read the terms of service and see for yourself. Set private or public, those files are on Facebook’s servers and that server is their on their property. Last thing you want is your photo being misused by the highest bidder.
but none of that matters to you anymore. We have relaxed to a state that we now say ” I don’t care what you do with it”. as if Identity theft would be flattering, because you doubt it could ever happen. EVER!
Family tree websites that have you post information about your family heritage. It’s a group event to find our more about about your lineage and your family’s origin. It’s a way to find family members long lost and family members who didn’t even know they had cousins. but what is it really? It’s a spam farm. and that’s a it is. Those sites are created for the sole purpose of targeting spam. Sure you find a use for it that you believe you benefit greatly from but at what cost to you? to all of the family members you posted against their will or without their knowledge?
I for one, will not live my life that way. I have to much respect for myself, and I truly wish that some of you would also.
Here’s a few articles to enjoy.
Convenience or Security?
Why Convenience Is the Enemy of Security
Convenience or security: Who decides which is more important? (pssst, it’s not the end user)
