A European friend of mine earnestly opposes social media because the product being sold is *us*, and yet we the users lack almost all control over content and we gain little benefit.
I argued otherwise, saying that a shrewd user can gain significantly: expanded social network, keep in contact with people no longer nearby, gain insight into lives and careers of friends and acquaintances, and get entertained by the latest viral joke and media clip.
But as social media is deepening, privacy policies are becoming less protective, the NSA (and likely other governmental and non-govt groups) have gained access to our personal data for 'big data' research, algorithms can now identify us by metadata and facial recognition (and tag us without our consent), and hackers seek to manipulate us by stealing our information and identities for various mischief and crime...
It seems a particularly good time to ask, "Are we getting enough from social media sites in return for access to so much of our personal information?"
Any opinions? Anyone (not) afraid?
Anyone concerned about their social media getting hacked & getting framed for something?
Any recommended alternative sites?
Anyone know of class-action lawsuits in progress to reclaim our ownership & control of our data?
(Reposted from comment on Linkedin)
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