THE TRUTH ABOUT EXPECTATIONS OF PRIVACY ON THE INTERNET

You may have noticed the following posted in the status line of many users of social media:

For those of you who do not understand the reasoning behind this posting, Facebook is now a publicly traded entity. Unless you state otherwise, anyone can infringe on your right to privacy once you post to this site. It is recommended that you and other members post a similar notice as this, or you may copy and paste this version. If you do not post such a statement once, then you are indirectly allowing public use of items such as your photos and the information contained in your status updates.

PRIVACY NOTICE: Warning - any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including but not limited to the United States Federal Government also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/or the comments made about my photos or any other "picture" art posted on my profile.

You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee , agent , student or any personnel under your direction or control.

The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law. UCC 1-103 1-308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

The reality is that expectations of privacy by the user are outlined in the 'privacy policy,' 'terms of privacy,' 'legal terms,' and other such legal notices that you show you've read and agreed to when you establish a profile with various online sites. This includes Facebook, but also other sites. If you haven't already negotiated a modified agreement before signing up, you can only delete your account. Otherwise, any information you disclose while a member of that site is subject to the terms to which you've already agreed.

Posting a notice like that above will not protect your privacy or negate your contract. But protection from snooping by businesses and government entities is only half of the equation.

Anyone on your friends list could accidentally compromise your personal information by disclosing it. Often this is done without malice. However, once you've posted information, you have no control over how viewers of that information use it. An example of this may be a funny picture you post of your child. A friend likes your photo on his or her wall. A friend of that friend shares the image. In a flash, a personal family moment is being scrutinized by strangers.

If you'd like more information on internet privacy and security, read INTERNET SURVIVAL: PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY.