Things you should never post on Facebook

The following is an excerpt from a very interesting article which appeared on MakeUseOf recently. Any of you who are using Facebook should read the entire article.

We want to remind you that the views expressed in posts other than our own do not necessarily reflect our views – we publish them to provide you with information you can use or information which can help you stay safe on the Internet. Sometimes the articles are controversial. This article is one we personally happen to agree with; if you’re a avid Facebook user, you’d be wise to follow some of the guidelines published in this article. Remember this is only an excerpt – so be sure to read the entire article.

…Let’s look at some of the ways that are dangerous to you if you say the wrong thing on Facebook. They’re not “it will kill you” dangerous, but instead dangerous in terms of your reputation, your finances, etc.

You tell your followers that you are feeling down and possibly depressed. Facebook sells your info to an insurance company, and when you try to apply for life insurance, you are denied. On Facebook, you get constant ads about making your peace with God, and making up your will before you go. If you were hesitating about making the final leap, ads like that might persuade you.

You gripe that you have a bad back and you are on long term sick leave from work. Suddenly you get ads about medicine, wellness spas, etc. What’s worse is that your insurance premiums go up. Don’t believe that something like this would happen? It was strongly suspected this year that fitness tracker Fitbit was selling user information to insurance companies, who were then seeing if any of the users were customers. If so, they used the fitness information to adjust the premiums accordingly. Fitbit strongly denies the charge but who knows if they are lying or not? Now if Fitbit is suspected doing it, do you think Facebook would have any qualms about trying the same if the price was right?

You are discussing NSFW subjects with a Facebook follower, while at work. Suddenly you get ads for dildos and sex dolls. The boss walks past and sees it. Suddenly it’s “can I see you in my office please?”. Next step – the unemployment office.

Now these are three things that instantly came to mind. I am confident there are numerous others, and I am sure you can cite some in the comments.
Solution

Be extremely careful what you talk about, and always keep that kind of conversation “friends only”. Even better, get off Facebook altogether and discuss your hemorrhoids elsewhere.

So the moral of this story kiddies is : be careful, be suspicious, and be paranoid. Because sometimes they really are out to get you.

Read the entire MakeUseOf article here.