Hi All!
I read an article published in Tech Times that has offered some new insight on what Facebook is doing for us other than connecting us with people from around the world.
Facebook offers so many different features that we might not even be aware of. When most think of Facebook, we think social networking, catching up with family and friends, and sharing stories is what what mostly comes to mind when we log-in. Now, they will be offering us a new notification - one that will alert them if the company believes that attackers who are working with the state have gained unauthorized access to a person's account!
Although, this is a great feature that Facebook is incorporating, this is one notification that I will be very happy without getting. Facebook will be sending out a default notification to users whose accounts have been affected. The notification will read, "Please secure your accounts now. We believe your Facebook account and other online accounts may be the target of attacks from state sponsored actors." If you anyone receives this notification, Facebook wants to warn them that it does not mean that Facebook has been compromised, but that the users' smartphone or computer has some type of malware that enables cyber criminals to access their information! Scary!
It's not something that I typically think of when I am scrolling through my newsfeed that the government is watching my every click. Facebook has made it easy for us to update our privacy settings from users who were are not friends with, but that definitely won't be enough to keep the NSA from spying on us. This notification just helps feel a little more protected online and ensure that our privacy is important to Facebook.
People might think that Facebook is doing a great job by alerting us if someone from the government is hacking our account, but to play the devils advocate for a bit - what if someone is actually planning something terrible thing and now they will actually know if the NSA is spying on them. Is it right to warn them? Could the NSA potentially stop a tragedy from occurring if they are able to see what people write and do on their social media accounts? I guess if you have nothing to hide then the government won't be wasting their time spying on you.
This is not really a black and white issue. Though I'm happy to know Facebook will tell me if I am being spyed on by some top secret agency - insert B613 for all my Scandal lovers - but what if this notification causes more problems? It's definitely something to consider!!
Let me know what you guys think!
Until next time,
Nicole
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