Starting with the new “LIKE” bar, Facebook has now become a treasure trove of data for law enforcement and government agencies alike to monitor and spy on it’s citizens around the globe. It has largely become more of a powerful tool used to collect and analyze  users input, instead of the social platform on which it was founded.  Through the use of  other so called “apps”, we can gain a significant insight about the data being collected and how much of a profiling tool Facebook has now become.

Who has access to all this information and what they may use it for should be of concern to everyone!  Are they telling us the truth about why and how they collect our data? Is our personal and private data being sold to the highest bidder?  Is all of our online information really safe as they would have us believe?

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established systematic fashion, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes.

With the introduction of the new “Like” bar, Facebook may now know and record your thoughts and feelings over any given situation. It is now much easier to see and determine if the user is happy, sad, in love, is in awe, or even angry to any event, comment or post. Over the course of time this helps Facebook to build a better understanding of the users thoughts, and or reactions to a particular event or post. The more one interacts with Facebook, the more complete the profiling becomes. Thus Facebook has become a valuable tool for all law enforcement agencies, regardless if the users intent is criminal or not. It can tell the Government many different aspects of a persons character, giving them advanced notice as to how that person may react in a given situation. 

Your current “Status” may also reveal a lot of information on your current dealings or feelings, along with the time and date. You may tag people, offer up a photo, which in itself may be revealing the location and date. You can enter a “Life Event” or any other “Special Events”, or you may “Check In” telling others your whereabouts at any given time. Your activity feed then keeps track of it all, detailing all of your input and interactions across Facebook, and may be sharing this information with anyone else who may have access.

Further profiling may be obtained through the use of “third party” apps, or sites which many users find to be amusing, yet these so called apps cast suspicion on their true purpose. One such site, Nametests.com, boasts that it is a free, fun application offering free fun quizzes and online humor. Simply by placing a small ad asking, “What makes you angry?” If clicked upon, may allow the app to view and collect all of your information. Simply by allowing it access to your Facebook account, it can decipher all of your likes and comments and return a fairly accurate, if not chilling response. These responses also help to profile each individual user, which is now why so many sites offer you to connect with your Facebook account when logging in. Many other sites offer similar apps which may aid in detailing one’s likes or dislikes or other personal traits.

So… with this vast gathering of our personal information, can we be sure it is safe? Do we really believe it is to be used for the sole purpose of making our online experience more enjoyable? I for one highly doubt it! The attraction of social networking seems to be geared more towards harvesting our personal data, than as a way to communicate. If you are looking you keep your private information private, then stay away from sites like Facebook. Never at anytime link your accounts, and always use a separate login and password for every site you visit. Think before you give up that piece of information, as we have learned that in today’s society, information is one of our “most valuable” assets!

Powerful words… Seems commonplace these days but what do these two words really mean? 

Yahoo Answers: It means it's been put in a queue for a moderator (i.e. a person who checks the comments) to read it and check it's fit to publish. Like anything with a human element, it varies: a few hours is reasonable.

Not sure I would agree with the above answer, but you get the idea. Have you ever tried to comment on a ‘local or top news’ story only to see these two words appear? Frustrating is it not? Why do we even need a Moderator for public content? Do they not have scripts for omitting objectionable words that may be considered offensive? Who would even think that in todays technically advanced world we would even see these two words. After all, don’t they want to hear our side of the story? In most cases it would seem not! More and more news content posted these days seems to be moderated to the point where you must conform to their standards or not be heard at all. Seems like all big media do not like to play fair!

No matter where you go on the web today, it’s becoming commonplace to see these words, (or lack of in some cases) when ever you wish to have you say.  The hidden meaning behind these two simple words though is really more discriminating and should read: Comment Censored! Yes, censorship is everywhere these days which is a huge problem we all face.  Albeit, censorship in it’s worst form!  If we as a society are not even allowed to say what we may feel on news deemed worthy enough to go public, then we really are doomed.

Today, Censorship in it’s current form has become increasingly detrimental to sustaining a healthy society. If society is not freely allowed to share with one another their humble views on world issues, then it becomes a one sided street, with the advantage given to those who are in control… The Moderator. (aka The Media, The Government, and the Corporations who like nothing better than to supress the thoughts of those who in their eyes are deemed unworthy of an opinion)  In doing such, a dictatorship is formed and really, no one likes a dictator. Hence, this is the path we are on, spiralling out of control deep into the abyss of todays moderation.

“When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings

There are many types and forms of moderation, each type shaped and moulded to suit the individual need.  Wikipedia describes moderation as the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. It is used to ensure normality throughout the medium on which it is being conducted.  Is that not censorship or is there even something more sinister at work here?  Read the description more carefully this time.  These two phrases jump out . (eliminating or lessening extremes, ensure normality throughout the medium) Sound’s to me like someone want’s to play GOD here! Oxford’s definition: the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behaviour or political opinions. Although worded slightly different, still very powerful.  Myself, I find that kind of moderation to be deeply disturbing  if not downright controlling.

Moderation in another form may also be found today in many social media sites as the powers that be scramble desperately to try and stem the flow of discontent and solidarity happening all across the globe today. They fear the power of social media, and are now trying to curtail it’s use forcing  site owners to moderate it users content, and by enacting laws that will ultimately bring it’s demise. Modern day slavery? Perhaps, but disturbing none the less.  It’s this kind of moderation of society that is making a mockery of our democratic system and fuelling the flames for what is to surely come. What will happen then? When the voices of all the people are stifled by a selected few,  will there be anything left to say?  Can we as a society really afford to let that come to light? From all I have witnessed recently, it shall surely come to pass if society continues to sit idle and await further moderation!