The same time that Mark Zuckenberg, the CEO of Facebook, apologised one more time to the American Congress for the undoubted breach of security and personal data in regards to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, there are a few other questions also now been posed around whether Facebook has grown too large and could be considered a monopoly. It was also, quite interesting to hear both Mark and Sheryl Sandberg – for the first time – talk about a Subscription Facebook platform which would help the company ensure privacy details and data are not breached. (We will be discussing this matter on another blog next week)

At the same time however, there are now many prominent figures (Twitter CEO as well as one of the Apple founders) and members of the public, deactivating their accounts due to fear of total lack of security and management of their data. This is a matter, we discussed in a blog quite recently here and it is interesting to see the shift in the market which is ..tending to become a trend nowadays. However, many are also now much more aware of what Facebook Privacy Policy actually says and are simply looking to protect themselves and consequently their data.

If that is what you are currently looking to keep your social relationships on the platform active, then have a look at our brief list of 12 things you should never share on your Facebook profile.

• Birthday

Your birthday is an important piece of a puzzle that also includes your name and address which can subsequently make access to your bank accounts and personal details much easier.

• Telephone Number

Bets case scenario..you acquire a ..polite fan. However, worst case scenario can included a stalker or even worse.

• Many of your friends

According to Professor Dunbar, and his study “Do Online social media cut through the constraints that limit the size of offline social networks” of the University of Oxford, humans cannot sustain healthy relationships with more than 150 individuals. Having tested 3375 active Facebook users, he was able to establish that actually deleting some of the people on your profile you do not interact with can lead to much healthier interactions on the platform.

• Images of your family or children

Victoria Nash has elaborated brilliantly on this subject so I would strongly urge you to read her article here. Generations have changed and kids nowadays will grow up asking if and who had permission for the creation of their social profiles unlike the older generations and this could cause many issues.

• Where your children attend school

According to the NHPCC, sexual offences have risen substantially in the UK over the past few years. There is hence no valid or explicable reason why you would want or have to share your children’s’ school or personal information.

• Location Tagging

Tagging your location is not something we do consciously but can easily omit it. When we are all logged into the Facebook app on our phones, we are usually connected via our location too hence offering this information to any party interested at all given points. Considering that over 600 million people have the facebook app on their phone, their location is usually compromised.

• Your boss

This is one we probably all already know. No matter how good your relationship with your manager, there is information best kept private. What is more, do not think for a minute that because they are your boss, they will not interact with your profile as they will actually probably scan through it quite meticulously to identify and contentious posts or images that may have an effect on them and their company.

• Stop checking in

Stop checking in everywhere you go. You are not only letting people know where you are at most instances but you are also providing advertising companies with information on your preferences.

• Your relationship status

This really should be personal information only. If you are connected with friends only on the platform, they would already be aware of your status or situation. What is more, it offers useful data to many Dating companies out there to start targeting you with their ads and promos.

• Where you go on Holiday

According to ThisIsMoney, many travel insurers will not re-reimburse you if you had your goods stolen if you had already publicised your holiday all over your social media. Bear this in mind next time you are frolicking on a beach.

• Your card or Bank details

This is probably the most straightforward one we are all aware however, still fall into the trap. Unless if you are advertised (which then means you should already have a business ad account connected to your company business bank account) there is no reason for you to add your bank or card details to the system making it easier for fraudsters to acquire them.

• Bonus: Your card itinerary

I am not entirely certain why you would even want to do that in the first place but knowing millennials nowadays, I assume showing any asset (even if that may be an itinerary) can be of interest or used for gloating purposes. Either how, no matter the reason, be aware that your scan-able BarCode could contain vital information in regards to your personal details you would not want disseminated.

Let us also remind you at this point that Facebook is currently the platform with arguably the biggest social influence globally. If for example Facebook (and other such platforms) were countries, our world population would look somewhat different. So keep your data and information secure whilst still enjoying all the great features, apps and opportunities the platform offers and feel free to let us know if you require any assistance or further elaboration on the above.

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