Starting reading the terms of service
April 16, 2019
by Katie Ritchie
Are you on social media? When you joined Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, did you read through the terms of service? It’s okay if you didn’t. Between the legal-ese and the length of the documents, most people don’t.
Why don’t we read terms and conditions? We trust the sites we go on. We assume they are asking for permission to use information that will improve how we use their site. While that can be true, that usually isn’t all they ask for.
Instagram, a social app which allows users to post photos and videos, has alarming terms. They clearly state that they collect “content, communications, and other information.” They go on to say they save this data when users sign up for accounts, and when they create or share content. However, it also says the site collects data when you message or communicate with others. How long does it store that information? They don’t say.
Pinterest, loved by DIYers, has terms which state off-site information will be collected. That means that they’ll keep looking at your browsing habits even when you’re not on Pinterest. The good news is that Pinterest provides easy to follow, opt-out instructions. They offer the instructions for each section of its privacy documentation.
What can you do to protect your privacy? Quitting all social media isn’t feasible for most folks. You should check your account and privacy settings. Change them so you’re only sharing what you’re comfortable with. Consider adding browser extensions like Avast Online Security or Ghostery. They’ll keep sites from tracking you. These extensions can help keep sites you use from saving more than you bargained for.
