Thanks Facebook, now I can’t run for president.
Done in by a single message. The text wasn't too incriminating, but it was certainly not something I would want to explain during any run for public office. The question I forgot to ask myself --and will not forget again-- was: who can/will be reading this?
The answer? Who knows. But in the worst case, everyone. Lets take a look into what exactly Facebook tracks about users. The following is from the Facebook Privacy Policy.
"When you use Facebook, you may set up your personal profile, form relationships, send messages, perform searches and queries, form groups, set up events, add applications, and transmit information through various channels. We collect this information so that we can provide you the service and offer personalized features. "
http://www.facebook.com/policy.php
Yikes! That means there is some database containing every message I have ever sent. Even worse is Facebook's policy about collecting "[information transmitted] through various channels". This was vaguely worded, but it implies that Facebook can do all sorts of neat stuff, like see which profiles you visit, and how frequently... creepy right?
Ok, enough with the "Big Brother" conspiracy theory BS, let’s get some concrete examples of the costs of wrongly assuming you're have privacy… Take for example:
Exhibit A
Kwame Kilpatrick
Busted, rather dramatically, when his text message history revealed a steamy love affair with his Chief of Staff...
Skip internet privacy, this next guy got caught with the wiretap. Yes, he fell for the oldest trick in the book.
Exhibit B
Eliot Spitzer
Forced to resign after allegedly spending the night with a prostitute. On the day before Valentines! Shame!
Exhibit C
Tony Soprano
My man Tony Soprano wouldn't be setting up shit like that over the phone, no way.
Exhibit D
But this Tony Soprano look-a-like might...
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