Facebook privacy - are you worried?

Janine31083289

I changed my privacy settings on Facebook quite a while ago as was worried about what people out-with my Facebook friends could see. I'm still not convinced that I'm as private on Facebook as I could be as although I regularly check the settings, Facebook are bad for updating things and not advising you what has been updated, then you find out that it has affected your profile. It's also quite confusing as to what you really have to update i.e. should you change your settings to friends only, friends of friends, everyone etc.

It's really obvious with most websites that they are checking out what you've been looking at on the internet - how many times have you been on a website and then you see adverts about products which you might be interested in (and which you've just happened to be looking up earlier that day!"). Yes, that's amazing how they know exactly what you like isn't it!!!

I've really cut down on what I post on Facebook as I think the idea of Facebook has worn off dramatically. It was great to begin with to keep in contact with people however I'm really not interested in all the day-to-day aspects of their life and I don't think they are that interested in mine. A lot of people post the attention seeking type posts such as "I've had a really bad day..." or "Don't you get fed up of some people..." so that they'll get lots replies from people saying "What's happening' and "Are you ok?". Also, it's been known for people to post that they are going on holiday and come back to fund their house has been robbed so you just never know who is watching you.

I don't log into Facebook as much now either as it's getting ridiculous with people posting Name list nonsense such as "Names of people who will get married this year/have a baby this year/win the lottery this year" etc. I'm quite lucky as my name isn't a common name so it is never on these lists (although I did see if on a list called "Names of people who are never on the name list!" which did make me laugh!).

There will always be a need for Facebook however I think its reputation has been seriously compromised. Most people probably won't think too much about the implications of their privacy on Facebook however a few people will and they'll probably at the very least change their settings or possibly even leave Facebook altogether.