Your data Social Media Data security

In todays tech world it is hard to imagine life without social media. We scroll, like, share and post all day, connecting with friends, family, colleagues and strangers. Behind the scenes however, every click, comment and swipe is leaving behind a digital breadcrumb trail. How much of your personal data is being gathered and what can you do about it?

When you sign up for any social media platform, the data collecting begins instantly. Most platform ask for basic information during registration including your name, email address, date of birth and phone number. This isn’t the end of the data collection though, there are many other things you do that you might not realise they are collecting.  Such as:

  • Profile Information: This is everything from your job, relationship, location and even interests and hobbies!
  • Your Content: Photos, videos, status updates and even comments you make can provide some insight into you.
  • Behavioural Data: How long you spend on each post, what you click on and even what you hesitate to click on is collected. Facebook, Instagram and TikTok track every movement to perfect your algorithm.
  • Location Data: Many apps track your location even if you are not actively posting or even on the app!
  • Search History: Whether it is hashtags, people or topics – your search history is logged and used for content recommendations or targeted ads.
  • Device Information: What device you are using, your IP address and even your network connection can be tracked and collected. It helps platforms track how you are accessing their services.

So how is this data being used?

As you probably know, social media platforms are primarily funded by advertisers. Your data is incredibly useful and valuable as it helps them target ads more effectively. For example:

  • Personalised Ads: Have you ever noticed how after searching for a product on one website, you get ads for it everywhere? This is no coincidence; these companies analyse your behaviour to show you ads that you are more likely to engage with and hopefully buy.
  • Content Curation: Social media platforms use algorithms to prioritise content that they think you will enjoy based on your past behaviour. This keeps you scrolling and engaging, thus providing them with even more data.
  • Selling to Third Parties: Some platforms share your information with third-party companies. While this is often done anonymously, it can still be unsettling to know that your data is being passed about.
  • Influencing Behaviour: It is not just advertisers who benefit. Your data can be used to shape the content you see, which can, in turn, influence opinions, mental health and even be used for political tactics.

The good news is that you don’t have to be completely at the mercy of social media platforms. Here are a few steps you can take to protect your data and limit what you are sharing.

  1. Adjust Privacy Settings: Most platforms allow you to control who can see your posts and personal information. Spend some time in the settings to ensure only those you trust can access sensitive data.
  2. Limit App Permissions: Check what permissions you have granted to your apps, especially regarding location, microphone access and your camera. You can disable these in your device settings.
  3. Review and Delete Data: Platforms such as Facebook allow you to review and download the data they have collected about you. You can even delete some of it however the effectiveness of this seems to vary between different platforms.
  4. Be Mindful of What You Share: The simplest way to protect your data is to be mindful of what you post. Avoid sharing sensitive information like your home address, phone number or anything else that you would not want to be publicly available.
  5. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Secure your accounts by enabling 2FA, which adds an extra layer of protection in case your password is compromised.
  6. Log Out of Apps When Not in Use: Though it may seem inconvenient, logging out when you are not using an app can prevent unnecessary data collection when you’re offline.

While social media platforms have become such a huge part of our lives, they also collect vast amounts of data about their users. Understanding what data you’re sharing and how its being used is the first step toward taking control of your privacy. By adjusting your settings and being mindful of your activity you can better protect your personal information. In this day and age, your data is currency, the more informed you are, the better equipped you are to protect your data.