Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has been described as ‘arguably the most significant change in the whole history of cartography…’ (Perkins, 2013) from (D. R. Fraser Taylor, Chapter 4 - Some recent developments in the theory and practice of Cybercartography, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978044464193900004X
Do you read the small print?
Project OSIX at Fairmont State University completed an analysis of the small print and location-based geo-ethics of several social media companies. Do you read the small print?
Security Risks to Users from Social Media’s Data Mining Practices
Too long; won’t read:
The most popular social media apps – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest – all collect information about you via data mining practices in order to build a profile about you.
This profile allows tech companies to learn what you like in order to keep your attention for as long as possible, increasing the chances that you will spend money on the app and recommend it to your friends. It also allows tech companies to influence your behavior and thoughts in ways that can and ultimately do have serious personal and societal consequences.
VGI And Privacy
Although you may feel that these privacy risks are nothing to be concerned about or, worse, that there is nothing you can do about them, as a human being, you have a right to privacy. Additionally, privacy is a group effort – “you are only as safe as the least-protected person in your group.”
Thus, you should take the following steps to protect yourself online and tell your friends to do the same:
1. Check your privacy settings regularly
2. Take advantage of the apps’ Privacy Checkups
3. Close old accounts when you’re done using them
4. When possible, use a VPN
