Social media pervades. It’s where we stay connected with friends, discover new products, track international news, and share glimpses of our personal lives. It’s a routine for many—a part of who we are. As we post, scroll, like, and forward, however, we’re also creating a digital footprint that’s more valuable, and maybe more vulnerable, than most of us realize.
In the social media era, data privacy is no longer just a topic for tech experts or government regulators. It’s a personal concern that affects every user. Whether you’re an influencer with a massive following or someone who only uses social platforms to stay in touch with family, your information is constantly being collected, stored, and sometimes sold—often in ways you’re not fully aware of.
Knowing how your information is utilized, where it goes, and how you can safeguard it is crucial in this day and age. Because not knowing data privacy can harm you.
The Value of Your Data
Every time you’re on social media, you’re sharing information—intentionally or unintentionally. It could be your name, age, or location, but it could be more nuanced details such as when you’re online most, what you click on, who you interact with, and how long you watch a video. Algorithms track this data to customize your feed, advertise to you, and even predict your actions.
To technology companies, your data is currency. It’s how they monetize their ad-supported websites. And though this targeting might be reassuring—recommendations that seem to “just know” what you like—it’s not free: you’re giving up some level of agency over your online persona.
The real question isn’t one of whether information is being collected. It’s what becomes of it after it’s been ingested. Who does it belong to? How is it being stored? Could it be compromised in a breach? These are questions that all users should be asking—and too few are.
Breaches, Leaks, and the Risks of Oversharing
You don’t have to look very hard to find examples of social media data being mismanaged. High-profile breaches, like the notorious Cambridge Analytica scandal, revealed how easily personal data can be gleaned and used for purposes like political manipulation. But in addition to headline-grabbing reporting, there are thousands of under-the-radar, small-scale breaches taking place daily.
Occasionally data is leaked by accident—maybe a site’s privacy settings shift unexpectedly, or an insecure database is left open. Occasionally, however, it’s users themselves who post too much without realizing the consequences. A birthday in your profile, a picture of a boarding pass, or even your location can all be pieced together by malicious actors.
It’s not identity theft, either. Information gathered on social media can be used to shape your opinions, manipulate your actions, or track your movements. And because social media tends to overlap with other apps and services, the risk is magnified. Your Instagram might be tied to your email, which is tied to your online banking, which opens your digital life one step shy of being totally exposed.
Understanding the Illusion of Control
Most social websites have privacy controls. You can choose who can see your posts, who can send you messages, or if your profile will appear in search results. But these controls provide a false sense of security. Even though you might be limiting what others can view, the website itself—and the advertisers it partners with—still have access to most of your data.
More times than not, users agree to blanket data harvesting by clicking “accept” on lengthy, unread terms of service contracts. And once your data is out in the wild, it’s essentially unwithdrawn. Deleting something doesn’t erase it. Screens can be grabbed. Metadata can linger. Old versions can be stored on servers for years.
This is where privacy tools become essential—not just for companies, but for individuals as well. Sites are slowly beginning to provide more open controls over privacy, but they still don’t provide total security. Taking individual measures to safeguard your data is more important than ever.
In fact, tools that were once considered the domain of corporations are becoming increasingly relevant for personal use. One example is Redactable, a software solution that allows users to securely redact sensitive content from documents before sharing. If you’re a journalist, activist, or simply someone who has personal files and contracts to keep under wraps, having the means to delete sensitive information forever—not merely conceal it—can be an essential element in keeping control over your data.
Your Responsibility in the Digital World
As consumers, we all participate in the digital realm. That entails taking responsibility for our own privacy. It takes no paranoia and no plugging out, but it does take awareness.
Start by being judicious about what you post. You need to ask yourself: would I be okay with a stranger knowing this? Could this information be something that catches up with me in the future? If what you’re posting has anything in it with identifying or personal information, ask yourself if it’s even worth posting.
Then, review your account settings across all platforms. Turn off location tracking when it’s not needed. Use two-factor authentication. Avoid using the same passwords across platforms. And when sharing documents—whether resumes, contracts, or PDFs containing personal details—consider running them through a redaction tool to ensure no sensitive info is being passed along without your knowledge.
Lastly, know what’s new. Privacy law is changing. Sites are refining their policies repeatedly. Knowing current information about your data being handled makes you able to make smarter decisions. Take notice of your privacy champions and follow them. Get newsletters on a regular breakdown of tech transitions, and ensure to read fine print when opening up new applications.
The Future of Privacy Starts With You
There is no question that social media is woven into the fabric of our lives. It brings us together, entertains us, and empowers us. It also exposes us. Protecting your information in the social media era is not a question of fear—it is one of empowerment. If you understand the value of your personal information, you can make more informed decisions about how you use these sites.
You don’t have to forego social media in order to protect your privacy—you just have to be on your own terms when you use it. Take control of your information. Use tools like Redactable when you’re sharing confidential information. Think before you post. And remember that online, privacy isn’t something that you get—it’s something you choose to keep.
