Things to consider before sharing information online

Have you ever thought about the fact that sharing information online could be risky? All the data you share on the web could remain there forever.

Internet users exchange data and information via social media and apps every day. All too often, we accept the terms and conditions of countless websites to allow us to continue surfing the net undisturbed.

Here are a few factors to consider before sharing information online.

Data in social networks and apps

We often share personal data without realising – photographs, shopping information and even ‘likes’ on Facebook and Instagram. While many of us worry about safeguarding ‘highly sensitive’ data, such as our financial information, we often fail to pay attention to everything else. What we share on social media isn’t always easy to remove.

A new personal right

The rise of the “online dimension” has led to the emergence of a new right: the right to be forgotten.

This new personal right, now more than ever, has taken the form of being able to eliminate your personal data from the net. However, it is far from simple. There are forms you can fill in online, but they are hardly ever taken into consideration. As a result, many people even ask for legal intervention to obtain the removal of their data from the website or search engine.

People should always have the right to be represented for their current condition and situation. Therefore, they should always obtain the removal of their data from the web if there is no legitimate reason to keep them.

What’s Europe’s position?

Europe has adopted laws favouring the protection of personal data, such as the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Guaranteeing data protection in Europe, the aim is to achieve global protection. This, however, is not yet possible due to contrasting state jurisdictions, as well as the lack of a clear legal parameter to regulate it.

Social media is often used while disregarding the consequences of our actions. It is crucial to think twice when sharing our personal information!