In the News
Despite privacy blunders, Facebook is still highly prevalent in one category…stories. In You might hate it, but Facebook Stories now has 500M users, Josh Constine at TechCrunch discusses Facebook’s popularity as a platform for user stories. Constine explains that Facebook ties Instagram and WhatsApp for having the most daily users of the story feature. Constine also states that Facebook’s story feature is a massive source of revenue due to the frequency and success of ads.
Our Take
Social media stories have become an increasingly common way to share fun moments and experiences in a more personal manner than merely posting a photo or posting a status update. These stories can help people feel more connected to their friends and family even if they are far away in distance. Another bonus of the popularization of stories in the exposure to new products through ads and easy purchase options by clicking on sick ads. However, this has the potential to be harmful, especially if you make purchases from sites that are not secure or reputable. Many ads on social media are from more obscure and often indie brands. While many of these may have secure websites, it is crucial that you proceed with caution when inputting your financial payment info anywhere. Outside of the potential financial implications of social media stories and ad shopping, the reality of how many users host stories on a daily basis stresses the importance of thinking before you share. Think about what might happen if someone gets a copy of your post…can it be used against you?
Recommendations
How can you protect the security and privacy of your accounts?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Utilize additional security/privacy measures and settings on apps, accounts, and platforms whenever possible
- Avoid clicking directly on links, whether in email or social media – always search through your search engine to verify legitimacy and find the appropriate site
- Track your finances closely to notice suspicious transactions before they become dangerous