Thanks, minimally, to Law and Order or Dragnet (depending on one’s age), everyone knows the first two lines to the Miranda Warning, “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
I was reminded of this when I recently read an opinion piece in The Photo Review, of all places, about Facebook. The author remains nameless to protect the innocents on a listserv since contributors didn’t expect to be published. Already sounds ominous, doesn’t it?
This article urges folks to “Read the privacy policy. Every word of it. Understand and consider both intended and unintended consequences of the policies as stated.” If you are like me, as you download software or sign up for web services you just mindlessly click the accept button. I mean, who has the time to read all the fine print? I say, don’t be like me (or do as I say, not as I do).
Here’s another inclusion from the article, “No person who wishes to use Facebook themselves should ever add anyone’s name, email or any other information without first seeking permission directly, not through Facebook’s “invitation” function”…Then and only on receiving notice of interest and prior permission, “invite” them to join through Facebook’s system.” The act of friending, of course, is inherent in Facebook. It may also be used to inadvertently connect one (whether an invite is accepted or not) to others, whether the association is realized, or not. Of course, the detectives in the TV shows I started this blog with always talk about a suspect’s known associates. Make of that what you will.
The opinion piece served as a reminder to me that we should apply critical analysis and evaluation skills not only to sources but, as importantly, to our own actions, including those in a digital environment. If you have done that, and continue forward, then by all means enjoy the benefits of that decision making process. On the other hand, if we blindly release into the wild any and all information about ourselves (or, worse, others) then we may suffer natural consequences. You mean I had the job offer from Facebook rescinded because I thought I posted an anonymous tweet making fun of the company’s lame boring logo?
Now, I’m not picking on Facebook. After all, we proudly have a library presence (feel free to be guilty by association and Fan us) though you won’t find me personally on it or MySpace or Twitter. Not that I am all that afraid my personal information will be compromised (targeted ads as a result of tracking cookies aren’t really that annoying to me so I don’t consider all online marketing to be insidious) or that I will be a victim of a cyberattack but….
Besides, if you truly want to know more about me (I wonder what books he reads? What web sites does he frequent? I heard a rumor he likes Justin Timberlake songs- really? Really? ) feel free to check out the Ken 2.0 tabs on one of the LibGuides I’ve authored (or better yet, just ask – I like conversation). But, this is personal information I have released without involving anyone else and it would be you coming to my page anonymously and by choice (or curiosity?) rather than by force with no stored evidence that you made a visit. Frankly, I decided to include bits and pieces about myself as a way to “personalize” the digital presence of the LibGuides rather than try and cultivate a following of Ken Friends.
I’m not suggesting that you get off the digital grid but to be intentional about what you place on the grid. Put another way, “You have the right to remain silent…or at least the right to use some discretion.”