Privacy Issues in Social Networking Research Paper

Privacy Issues in Social Networking - Research Paper Example This aspect also renders individuals liable for their usage of the technologies. This paper will discuss the privacy issues in social networking. It is a requirement by most social networking sites that users read and agree to a code of use policy prior to using their services. Controversially, these policies that users have to accept usually contain clauses allowing the social networking operators to store users’ data and even share it with other parties (Randall & Richards 1). The operators hold on to data and make it difficult to delete accounts even after deactivating them while sharing personal information with third parties. Surveys have shown that there are several key privacy risks for social network users, such as total information awareness, broadcasting to wrongdoers and having no control over one’s information related to identity (Gross & Acquisti 1). All social networking sites require and offer varying privacy levels. For example, a site like Facebook encourages the use of real names and personal information like a telephone number, address and birth date while signing up for a new profile. They eve n get more intimate by asking for relationship status, hobbies religion, and sexual preference. Among the sites that encourage disclosure of personal information, a trend has been noticed where most users seem comfortable with disclosing to the public (Gross & Acquisti 1). This information spreads faster via social networking sites than in a real-life network. Because the information is in digital format and can easily be copied, stored and searched, it may find its way to groups of people unexpectedly. This is especially harmful to users if the information travels in different spheres, ending up with unintended recipients. Social network sites receive financial enticements from advertisers to generate revenues through the information users submit (Randall & Richards 1).