Social networking private details

By Ben Hurst on Sep 1, 09 11:25 AM

According to a new book, failure to reveal your personal details on networking sites such as Facebook is "tantamount to social suicide".

Matthew Myron, a graduate from the University of Portsmouth, has written a book, What is Privacy?, based on the findings of his research into online privacy.

He says people feel under pressure to divulge details about themselves on networking sites out of fear of becoming a social outcast.

And he added that sometimes these details are things they would not dream of sharing with strangers face to face.

He said: "Many people feel they have to be a part of Facebook to socialise.

"Such sites are the modern equivalent of a mobile phone. They have grown into fashion accessories and they are a must-have for people who don't want to be social outcasts.

"To fit in, you have to be open and display all, ignoring the fact that cyber predators and data collectors may be using your profile in ways that could have an impact on your future."

Mr Myron added that although sites such as Facebook have privacy settings, many users do not know how to use them or would not want to make them private for fear of being seen as "hiding something".

He added: "I was worried when I found that an overwhelming 85% of the women I quizzed for my study admitted to having strangers contact them on Facebook.

"Not setting their privacy settings correctly is opening their profiles up to approaches by individuals, companies and cyber criminals.

"Facebook states clearly in its terms and conditions that users should ensure they have set their privacy settings correctly to suit the individuals' requirements, such as only allowing friends to see updates, pictures, personal details, including sexual orientation, and relationship status."

Mr Myron's research for his final-year project on online privacy for his degree in e-commerce and internet systems included primary research of 50 Facebook users, made up of equal numbers of males and females, aged between 18 and 40.