Introduction to the issue of Social Media Privacy

Deepening Issue

In an age where 69% of American adults use social media, information privacy and vending is among the most critical contemporary topics. Social media is largely linked to its users’ trust levels, friend groups, social standing and support, civic participation, and even the well being of its users; the information of its users can have a significant role in its users’ lives (2).

Since social media can reveal important information about its users, the information within social media accounts is especially desirable to advertisers. The transactions between social media companies and advertisers is a controversy most largely rooted in privacy and safety of information. According to a 2012 poll, 86% of internet users have made efforts to hide their information from advertisers, suggesting that these transactions between social media companies and advertisers are largely disapproved of by their users (2).