In today’s modern era, the concept of privacy in our daily lives seems elusive, given the widespread sharing of personal details on various social media platforms. From Facebook and Instagram to WhatsApp, Twitter, and even the notorious Telegram, users often divulge extensive aspects of their lives, only to later express concerns about privacy.
A notable trend on Instagram, a popular platform for sharing photos and videos, is the “Get to Know Me” phenomenon. Users willingly disclose intimate details such as age, phobias, tattoos, piercings, birthmarks, preferences, height, and various personal likes and dislikes.
Eliana Shiloh, a cybersecurity expert at Deloitte, has raised a red flag regarding this trend, labeling it a threat to privacy. Ms. Shiloh expressed her concerns in a TikTok video, sparking 72 instances of privacy concerns and prompting over 100 Instagram users to consider filing complaints against this potential threat with the Facebook-owned subsidiary.
The issue is particularly noticeable among female users who share videos and photos meant to be private but inadvertently expose themselves to a wider audience. Disclosing additional information like age and personal preferences poses a significant risk, potentially attracting the attention of hackers who, with minimal effort, can exploit this information through phishing to uncover more sensitive details.
So, what’s the solution to mitigate this risk?
The solution is straightforward: only disclose necessary details and keep everything else private. Sharing information like age may inadvertently enable hackers to deduce the date of birth, providing a potential entry point for accessing an individual’s private life by navigating through security questions designed to protect online accounts.
It is essential for online users to refrain from sharing critical information such as account credentials, bank details, contact numbers, and personal details about family or children on the internet. Such revelations can draw the unwarranted attention of hackers, who are always on the lookout for digital activities to exploit and invade private lives.
