Did you know almost every social media collects your personal data and sell it to third-party advertisers and even government security agencies?
In the early days, social media was meant for connecting with people and getting entertained. Today, its impact has spread through every aspect of our personal and professional lives.
Beyond the fun part, social media is now a place to source personal data or even promote your business. So, you have to be careful of what you upload, as it can have serious consequences.
A huge amount of personal data and information get shared daily on social media platforms. This includes phone numbers, contact details, house addresses, and even personal pictures.
Because of how most social media algorithms work, some of the data and information become permanently stored. With this, almost every member of the public can have access to the information, as it becomes difficult to manage who gains access.
So you see, while it’s nice to put yourself online, you have to be wary of oversharing your personal information.
At this point, you’re probably wondering why uploading your personal data on social media is such a bad idea. Well, let’s find out, shall we?
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Why Do People Upload Their Personal Data on Social Media Platforms?
Many reasons. People always find the need to share stories about themselves online. And in a bid to do this, some people go overboard. And by overboard, we mean sharing:
- Personal thoughts and emotions
- Intimate details about your relationship
- Contact details and personal information
- Places visited for relaxation or vacation trips
- Sensitive Pictures and videos from their gallery
- Opinions about societal issues and happenings
The digital world is fast becoming a more embedded part of our culture and way of thinking. As such, some users are just too young or inexperienced to comprehend the full extent of the potential ramifications of their online behavior.
Besides, there is a propensity to overshare on these ostensibly anonymous platforms, especially when it feels like only your friends are interested in what you post.
Interestingly, while many social media users enjoy posting stuff about themselves, some users go as far as posting information about other people. This is not ideal in a world where cybercrime exists.
As much as you love uploading personal data on social media, you need to know when to stop. If care is not taken, you’ll lead yourself to oversharing personal data that can be used against you.
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Uploading Your Personal Data on Social Media is A Bad Idea
(Here are the reasons why you should avoid doing it…)
Sharing content on social media is interesting, especially when it increases engagements on your posts. With the right content, you will get more likes and become more popular.
However, there’s a need to know what to upload and what not to upload. A good example of what to avoid uploading is your personal data. Here are reasons why this is a bad idea;
1. Giving Up Your Right to Privacy
People will only have access to the information you share. Sharing personal information about yourself on social media will give room for online intruders. This is not what you want.
You will give up your right to privacy the moment you upload your personal data online. People you don’t know will start meddling in your personal business and cause you heartaches in the process.
If there’s a private issue you don’t want people to know about, don’t share it on social media. It’s that simple.
For instance, uploading certain pictures on social media might propel online bullies to attack you. You might also receive unwanted comments that can lead you to depression. Avoid all these by keeping your personal info to yourself.
Not to forget, every social media collects their users’ data and sell it to third-party advertisers and even with goverment security agencies. Despite all its denials, Facebook has mastared the art of data collection and selling it to anyone with highest big.
2. It Can Lead to Security Problems
Some people live their lives stalking other people online. You have to be wary of them.
Stalkers gather private social media information about their targets by going through their social media profiles. This will give them access to information that they can use to hurt you.
The more you share personal data on your page, the more they know about you. For instance, a stalker can gain access to your home by getting your house address from your profile.
Stalkers gaining access to too much information about you can put you at the risk of identity theft. This is a serious security issue that can be avoided. So, don’t share personal data if you can.
3. Losing Money to Cybercriminals
As social media has grown massively over the years, so has the risk of data breaches. You need to understand that every personal data you post stands the risk of getting breached by hackers.
The more personal data you share, the higher the chances of social media data breach.
A cybercriminal can gain access to your credit card details from the personal information you uploaded on your Instagram profile. This can make you lose credit cards and bank account information.
There have been several reports of people losing a huge sum of money to cybercriminals. These hackers perpetrate their evil by breaching sensitive data and blackmailing people with it.
Some go to the extent of using your name and personal information to hack your social security number. They then go-ahead to take out loans or credit cards in your name. You don’t want this. So, avoid it by being smart with how much you disclose on social platforms.
4. Losing Your Reputation to Impersonation and Business Fraud
If cybercriminals have access to your personal data, they can impersonate you. They target people’s social media accounts to extract sensitive and private data for malicious intent.
If you overshare your personal data online, you’ll encourage these online criminals to commit business fraud in your name. They can even set up a business in your name just to scam people.
They will trick people into believing that they are running a legitimate business. Because of your reputation, people will patronize the business. And if they do, they will get scammed.
This can tarnish your professional image and make you lose important business relationships.
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5. Falling for Malicious Attacks
Social media can be a medium for sharing malicious content like spam, virus, and malware. People receive all manner of emails that will push them to make moves that are costly.
These days, malicious content is spreading like wildfire on social media. The more you share your personal data the more you could fall for the dangers associated with malicious attacks.
People tend to trust links from friends. So, scammers are using the opportunity to send spam and viruses to people’s inboxes. They can hack into your account password through this medium.
There are a lot of things you should never share on social media. Aside from uploading personal data, you should learn to watch what you say via chats and comments on social media posts.
Conclusion
As you’re spending time online and documenting your experience, ensure that you don’t share your personal information. This will prevent you from danger and you can protect your reputation.
Some of the most used social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have policies that protect online users. Despite that, you still have to be careful when uploading personal data.
A social media platform is a public space. Hence, you should expect the unexpected whenever you share your personal data. If you insist on sharing personal data, be ready to face the repercussions.
With the reasons mentioned in this guide, we believe you now understand why uploading your personal data on social media is a bad idea.
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