For most people, protecting private information and online identities doesn't come until after personal information has been compromised or used in a manner that is uncomfortable. Many people do not know or understand how companies and social media use and share your private information until it is too late. I am one of those people who didn't understand everything I was putting out until it started popping up ... years later... in places I was not happy with. Before I start with my story (and helping you with yours), I need to make one thing clear ... like the "War on Drugs" and the "War on Terror", protecting your personal information online (and off) will be never ending.
To start, I am from one of the first generations of kids to started using the internet (when it became less expensive and more mainstream ... I'm talkin' AOL, baby!). Back in the day we used the internet mostly anonymously. We would think up funny names or have companies choose them for us... but they would almost never include our first or last names - it would be something like "nintendoboy82". I know everyone is different and I am sure there were some people who had screen names that included more personal information but it was not the norm. It was a different time. The internet was younger and everyone was a little cautious (it was even a lowercase "i" back then). Being anonymous just came naturally, too. This was a new world where one could redefine themselves - or be anyone they wanted... and it was exciting. Now, don't get me wrong while I wax-poetic... there were other problems involved with everyone being anonymous but I think they, for the most part, they were better than what we have now.
So what happened?
The tracking, buying, and selling of personal information has been around since before the internet, but it was not until after the internet that things really EXPLODED. The internet is like one gigantic goldmine for personal information... because so many people give so much of their information away - FREE. Speaking of mining - are you aware that many of the popular sites and services you use online are data mines? Many of these sites and services work together, with or without the help of a third party, to collect, store and and analyze your information so that it can be packaged and later used or sold. This means that if you share your personal information with company A and company B also has some information they can combine it, with or without company C to create a "profile" or other information about you that can later be sold or used. There can be hundreds or thousands of companies involved in this process - each collecting, buying, selling and adding information. It sounds like it would be an expensive and complicated process but when you consider a lot (if not ALL) of the work is done with computers and "robots" - it can be done incredibly fast and efficiently - around the clock. Scary, right?
Where does this information come from? Well there are a lot of places... in fact there are probably more places where information can be gathered than places where it can not be. To name just a few - your grocery store (in particular "rewards" card purchases).... anywhere you shop actually.... credit card company, banks, utility company, phone company, your web browser (and "cookies"), and almost all social media sites like Facebook... think of it this way - if it is creating a "receipt" (record of information), this information can be kept, tracked and sold. It is always? Of course not. I think all responsible companies keep the privacy of their customers information very safe (always check the privacy policy!) but some do not, in fact, some are created with the purpose of getting to know as much as they can about you.... because you are the product. Here is the kicker - many people, probably the majority, give out information all the time, for free - on places like Facebook (where all that free information you give them is worth about $80.95 per person). While I do love to rag on Facebook - at least they are offering something in exchange for your free time - games, conversation and whatever the hell else people use it for. I am not saying Facebook is right for what they do... but at least most people get something back.
Did you know that some companies you have never dealt with, signed up with, or gave any permission to have access to your personal information?
They do. There is a growing number of companies like mylife who specialize in gathering up personal information. They do so under the guise that the information has been made "publicly available" and they have a right to use it. Which, I suppose they do (considering the USA's current... but VERY OUTDATED... privacy laws)... and without your permission they are free to create a publicly visible profile about you which can include your first and last name, your jobs, where you live, your photo (s) and how to get in contact with you. Creepy, yes? I thought so too.
What gives them the right? We do - because we have not demanded that companies like this stop invading our privacy. There is a war out there. It is a war on our personal information and we all need to be prepared to fight.
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