I asked several people their own opinions on the article I posted aswell as any related articles too. I asked them whether they believed Facebook's privacy and security policies are fine as they are and its the users fault what information they post or whether Facebook should do more in order to combat incidents such as burglaries. For example, not allowing you to display your address, mobile number etc as potential criminals can use this for their benefit.
Where will this end? How about you come home from holiday to find that your home has been broken into, and your insurance company turns round to you and informs you that because you sent your parents a postcard you've advertised the fact that you were away to all and sundry and therefore your insurance policy is null and void? Seriously, where does it end? It doesn't matter who you tell, or how you tell people. Your contents are insured against crime. Telling your friends via Facebook, text, or over a coffee at the local coffee store that you're going away on holiday does not and SHOULD NOT mean that you deserve to be burgled, and that your premiums should be loaded as a result.
- jamies (Telegraph forum)
Its stupid when people put their full address, phone number and everything about themselves on their profile. And also when people make those groups for collecting phone numbers off people and everybody puts their phone number out in public for anyone to see, that is stupid.
- Rory
Numbers, addresses anything like that that makes you vulnerable to others.
- Chrissy
Honestly I think its the users fault for displaying their whereabouts and where they're going on holiday, what kinda people do that? Silly, silly people! I also think that people who are quite a bit older should be the only ones that should be allowed to display addresses and phone numbers - they're the most responsible and hopefully not silly enough to put details about going on holiday etc.
- Shauna
They shouldn't let you put your address, I've seen people as young as 12 years old display it on Facebook. It's stupid, if people wanted to know where you lived, they could ask you and if you knew/trusted them you could just tell them.
- Hannah
As long as you're happy with your Facebook privacy settings, and you're happy with the information which you're displaying to visitors to your profile I see no problem. I display quite a lot of personal information of my profile such as my mobile number, but again my privacy settings are really tight and only my friends (which are my friends, not just randomers) can see the information. However, I would like to see a more default setting for privacy; considering I had to actually manually edit the settings which was quite time consuming, and many users don't have the time nor the motivation to make their profile secure. Also I've viewed my profile from an outside prospective and there is still bits of information I can't disable such as my networks, which contains my school.
- Ryan
I think Facebook could be make it more clear of the available privacy settings, however, ultimately it is the responsibility of the users to make sure that they don't display information that could be exploited. A lot of people bypass the terms and conditions of the website aswell as ignoring potential risks that could jeopardise security, which is naive at best and ignorant at worst.
- Lizzie
The simple matter is that you shouldn't add people you don't know and If you don't know that you can trust the people on your friends list there are features put in place so you can be very specific who does and doesn't see your posts. In regards to having your personal information on display for everyone to see, thats just stupid and the people who do that should be getting robbed. Have some common sense.
- Luis
It just never seems to end with facebook. Privacy is some kind of blind spot with them. I am so glad I left.
- "seasideman" (Telegraph forum)
i think that there isn't really much more they can do. the facebook security is pretty good, just not everyone chooses to use it. In this case i think it was just unlucky because the family happened to know the person but i dont think it would be come a regular thing for houses to be burgled. you've just got to trust the people your friends with and not have strangers on your account. i dont see what difference it makes if the insurance companies look at the account.
- Kirsty
I think the security is fine, as long as you take care to change your security details to their strictest settings and make sure you ammend them whenever facebook updates and alters things. And obviously don't publish your address
- Peter
I found it a laborious task to change my settings back after the last roll out. My information is for the people I have accepted as friends, this includes, my status updates, pictures and information. I fiercely guard my privacy in an online world. As it is, I keep my personal information on there to a minimum to reduce the amount of information that is in the public domain through the changes that have been brought about. They should be simplified and security should be increased, not everyone is technoligically savvy and may not realise what information is being shared. A cynic would say they were exploting this!
- Liam1709 (Guardian forum)
If you use Facebook, you click Account -- Privacy Settings -- then set everything to "Friends Only". Honestly, is that really so hard? If you still disagree with that, then don't use Facebook. (Click Account -- Account Settings -- Deactivate Account.) Again, very simple. I don't know why the media is kicking up such a fuss about this. I'm sorry, but if people are too stupid to figure things out, it's no good blaming the website. It's perfectly simple. Don't blame other people because you can't figure things out. It literally takes 30 seconds to secure your privacy settings/set them to be as public as you like.
- Speranza86 (Guardian Forum)
Interesting this privacy thing. I wonder how many of those complaining against a potential loss of privacy have their landline phone number and home address listed in the Yellow Pages? For decades this hasn't bothered most people.
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DrianW (Guardian Forum)
I don’t think people are being “reckless” with their personal information. It is unfair if they can reject applications for insurance claims because it is trying to stop people from having freedom of speech – people are too careful about what they say. Then again, you should have your profile private to prevent such incidents and should only have friends you actually know, not burglars.
- Nicole
