Thx for the feedback, KJ. Enjoy the vacation. Let me know how “unplugging” works out.

What a great reflection! I enjoyed reading how you still managed to weave in your technical/connected side into who you “really are.”

I shall think about similar things while on vacation, be curious what bubbles up.

… KJ

Funny thing, I’ve been conjuring up a “privacy post” in my mind for a few months now…may front-burner it to further share my thoughts in this area.

Until then, I think that this issue is like anything else in life – one needs to use common sense. (And, per your above examples, not everyone does.) I, too, am occasionally surprised at what I see people posting (on facebook, in particular).

In a post last month, I talked about how important it is to monitor your own digital trail, http://www.graymatterminute.com/2009/07/14/social-media-sidestep-3-step-strategy/ . In that post I mentioned the importance of setting up google alerts so you know where your name is popping up online and also how important I think identity protection is (I use LifeLock.com … there are other services out there, I know).

As for the people who have found themselves in trouble for what they’ve posted…well, people need to use their heads when posting anything. I am acutely aware of the trail I’m leaving online and I always consider the ramifications of anything I may post on facebook or twitter or anywhere as related to my work and my reputation. I try really hard to strike the balance between “transparency” and “privacy” and that’s no easy task…especially when you’re blogging about social media! I’ve made mistakes in this department and I’ve learned from each which has helped guide my own personal posting policies. Many companies are setting up social media policies to help guide employee behavior, as well, (as they should). But there are always people who are going to post the inappropriate just as there are always going to be people who break laws. What can ya do? As you describe above, those choices to publish uncensored comments will have consequences…especially for people in public office. The social webs make us all our own editors and not everyone takes a minute to edit. I think people in the healthcare and financial industries, in particular, will have a tricky time navigating the social site culture due to the litigious environments in which they do business.

I, too, am concerned about privacy issues in today’s online environment which is why I have taken a number of precautions. I’m particularly careful about posting photos…that’s where I start to feel my boundaries tested. (Ironic, given the industry we’re in, eh?)

Anyway…I think I’m as at risk of incident or malice just about any time I walk out of the door, get in a car, go into a major city, leave a venue late at night…there’s a million ways we place ourselves at risk. The fact is, even people who try to stay offline have a digital trail accessible to people who are online, so by opting out I’m not sure you’re any “safer” than those who choose to “opt in” to online activity.

In my life, I have been at home during an attempted burglary (twice!), I’ve been a victim of vehicle theft, I’ve been held up at “knife point” and I’ve come out on the other side a few other unpleasant events…but I’m not going to stop living my life — or “they” win.

I think your concerns are valid and relevant, but the use of computer technology isn’t going to slow down…so I’m forging ahead, cautionary eyes open, doing what I do, carefully and thoughtfully, to stay informed of what’s out there and what’s possible (the good and the bad).

For all the upsides of being engaged online, I suppose I’m willing to risk the potential downsides.

Those are my thoughts. Thanks for commenting about this important issue as we all work to figure out how to address and adapt to the questions and culture of personal privacy that new technologies are bringing forward.

More to come…

-Renee

Thanks, BettyBird.

I’m curious, Renee – what is your opinion about privacy?

For example, two recent national stories – Lee Landor, deputy press secretary for Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer, “resigned” (was fired) for posts she made on her Facebook page about the controvercial Gates arrest and Obama’s comments about it.

And a Boston police officer suspended for using a “racial slur” to describe Gates on his Facebook page.

And a banker in California that I know personally has a “file” kept on him at work citing comments he made on his Facebook page.

And then there’s the Facebook panic that happend a couple of weeks ago where a post was going around that Facebook was allowing third party advertisers to use your posted pictures without your permission – which turned out only to be partially true (even though anyone can copy and paste your pictures into their own files just by right clicking, regardless of what privacy settings you have on your page).

My point is, when we put ourselves out there so much, aren’t we just begging someone to steal our identity, our pictures, our privacy? I found myself on a google search on a website called 123People (who buys “public” information on people from UnitedShare). They had my maiden name, married name, middle name and my age, my personal addresses and phone numbers current through 20 years ago. They had my business website, my LinkedIn page, my Facebook page – they even had a link to when I posted on your blog last, hence not using my last name this time. They were offering to do a background check to reveal all of this information on me, or anyone, for a fee. When I called to ask to be removed from their website, they hung up on me. The second time, they transferred me to a call center in India who said I could be removed for $10 a year. Conveniently, no manager was available – ever.

I, for one, am concerned about privacy. I pay extra on my phone bill every month to be unlisted and I don’t publish my address anywhere. Yet for a small fee, someone with whatever intentions can find out where I live and all about me because I am out there in cyberspace for the taking.

Maybe my husband’s paranoia is rubbing off on me.

Thanks Renee, and keep up the great posts!