Facebook

[Joe.]

I know Facebook's privacy issues are a big problem, but in recent threads I've noticed some worrying things about how private Facebook isn't. Rather than derail those threads, I've started a new topic. I don't know a lot about Facebook's privacy if I'm honest, so I would really appreciate it if people could just fill this post with things they know about Facebook's privacy and Facebook in general. Reasons why it isn't private etc. I'm sure a lot of people have a lot to say about this, so I look forward to learning new things and educate myself a bit more about the dangers and privacy of Facebook. Thanks in advance everyone!

[LordKAT]

I know they make no sense. I sent friend invites to 3 people I knew and facebook blocked me and said to stop abusing the invite feature and stop harassing people. They continue to ask me to send friend invites to these same people. I refuse to play the games or use many of their features since they share all such info with any other site that wants it. Even personal info that I don't want shared. I have a page but not with my real name and very little of any kind of info. No photos since by posting them, you give license to use them to facebook.

[Lauren5]

I plan on deleting my facebook during transition, and activate a second one, my "girl account," if you would, and invite only the friends I know who are accepting, and not to put any data that could lead back to me, like anything before high school.

[Danielle Emmalee]

I plan on deleting my facebook during transition, and activate a second one, my "girl account," if you would, and invite only the friends I know who are accepting, and not to put any data that could lead back to me, like anything before high school.

Its a nice plan....but is very tough unless your friends don't know people that you don't want to know. 

[KabitTarah]

My plan is pretty simple. I have no idea if it's actually a good plan, though!!

1. Keep doing pro LGBT+ things on Facebook (so far... NOH8 and FCKH8.com stuff). I will be going purple on the 17th. Bullying is very clearly what kept me in the closet for 20+ years.

2. When they are really guessing about me, and when that relationship status between me and my wife changes (or else that info really gets out there)... I'll come out, at least partially. (In other words, "Yeah... we didn't see eye to eye on me coming out of the closet" not "yeah, I'm a trans girl").

3. When my transition is more or less complete... I'll come out trans. I assume some (especially those who see me) will start guessing anyway... don't really care.

I don't really care what anyone thinks. I am who I am and I'll be out. Anyone who disagrees with who I am can be defriended. I don't really think I'll have a big issue with that.

The only tricky parts are work friends (I have a few) and extended family (who have a right to know first). I'm taking it slow, online... but I'm definitely NOT hiding who I am.

[Lauren5]

Its a nice plan....but is very tough unless your friends don't know people that you don't want to know.

I'd likely have no friends on there that knew me as male, unless I knew for sure they were accepting.

[Ltl89]

If you put something on the internet, assume everyone has seen it.  I hate facebook because they share personal information without your consent.  Sometimes to their partners and sometimes to the public.  Facebook is a great tool to connect with others, but just be aware that you sacrifice your privacy.  If you are okay with that, then don't worry about it.  And to be honest, most sites do these things and privacy in the digital age is an illusion. 

Personally, I have never used facebook.  I may do it in the future, after I transition fully, but I'm not a fan of people seeing my every action and move.  It sucks though because everyone has one and it makes me look like a huge bitch when I don't friend them.  No one believes a 24 year old girl doesn't have a facebook account, but there is at least one in the world, lol.

[Beth Andrea]

I have a FB, and honestly I ask myself every day WHY?!?!?!

Sometimes I delete the thing (actually it's a suspending, because it can be revived)...but I hate that I seem to be addicted to it.

Privacy? Internet? LOL....

[Sephirah]

Personally, I have never used facebook.  I may do it in the future, after I transition fully, but I'm not a fan of people seeing my every action and move.  It sucks though because everyone has one and it makes me look like a huge bitch when I don't friend them.  No one believes a 24 year old girl doesn't have a facebook account, but there is at least one in the world, lol.

I don't go near it either, lol. You're not alone in that.