2008 Woodie Awards
Concerns over Facebook privacy
Pat Sommer
Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: News
With social networks like Facebook ecoming more prominent, many people have one concern: privacy. Facebook, an internet social network that is prominent among Rockhurst students, has recently added features and expanded its user base, leaving many to wonder just how protected their information is on the internet. The social network was originally intended to be exclusively for college students but now Facebook allows anyone with an email address to join the network.
"I think most students saw Facebook as a semi-private area only for Rockhurst people," said Matt Heinrich, vice president for administration. "That apparently no longer the case, so what happens to all that data now?
To many students, the original point of Facebook was to keep in touch with friends who went to school all over the country, but now that everyone is on Facebook, it seems to have lost its appeal. Some students have even deactiviated their accounts over privacy concerns.
"In general, everyone should be aware that the web is a public space," said Heinrich. "I would caution against posting any type of personal information such as address, phone number, or a work/class schedule."
In addition to the influx of non-college students, students are also concerned about new features that make it easier for others to 'spy' on their profile.
Students have always made jokes about Facebook being a way to 'spy' on other people because each users' web page enables them to list everything about themselves, but a recent feature called the 'News Feed' has some students worried. 'News Feed' is a feature that pops up when first logging into Facebook that lists the recent activity of your friends such as a new photo album, a change in status, or a new wall posting. The 'News Feed' was so unpopular among students upon launch that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has gone on the record to say that Facebook "really messed up."
"We did a bad job of explaining what the new features were and an even worse job of giving you control over them," Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook Blog.
As a result of the outcry against the new features, Zuckerberg and Facebook have launched what they call tougher privacy controls with options that are designed to give students more privacy. For example, students can elect to make their profile only to their friends or they can make only certain parts of their profile available to those who don't know them. For those worried about the news feed, there is also an option to leave yourself off the News Feed.
But despite the privacy controls, Matt Heinrich is still concerned about the information students are posting online.
"A good rule of thumb for me is if I would want to see what I posted on the front page of the Kansas City Star or The Sentinel," he said. "In my opinion, these online communities really are that public."
"I think most students saw Facebook as a semi-private area only for Rockhurst people," said Matt Heinrich, vice president for administration. "That apparently no longer the case, so what happens to all that data now?
To many students, the original point of Facebook was to keep in touch with friends who went to school all over the country, but now that everyone is on Facebook, it seems to have lost its appeal. Some students have even deactiviated their accounts over privacy concerns.
"In general, everyone should be aware that the web is a public space," said Heinrich. "I would caution against posting any type of personal information such as address, phone number, or a work/class schedule."
In addition to the influx of non-college students, students are also concerned about new features that make it easier for others to 'spy' on their profile.
Students have always made jokes about Facebook being a way to 'spy' on other people because each users' web page enables them to list everything about themselves, but a recent feature called the 'News Feed' has some students worried. 'News Feed' is a feature that pops up when first logging into Facebook that lists the recent activity of your friends such as a new photo album, a change in status, or a new wall posting. The 'News Feed' was so unpopular among students upon launch that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has gone on the record to say that Facebook "really messed up."
"We did a bad job of explaining what the new features were and an even worse job of giving you control over them," Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook Blog.
As a result of the outcry against the new features, Zuckerberg and Facebook have launched what they call tougher privacy controls with options that are designed to give students more privacy. For example, students can elect to make their profile only to their friends or they can make only certain parts of their profile available to those who don't know them. For those worried about the news feed, there is also an option to leave yourself off the News Feed.
But despite the privacy controls, Matt Heinrich is still concerned about the information students are posting online.
"A good rule of thumb for me is if I would want to see what I posted on the front page of the Kansas City Star or The Sentinel," he said. "In my opinion, these online communities really are that public."
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