The increasing rate at which social media sites are being used by brands all over the world to promote themselves has apparently rung quite a few bells among prominent marketing experts. A recent statement by Verisign Director Phil D'Angio commenting on the increase in the scope for data theft and other e-crimes due to the usage of social networks to promote them has caused quite a few stirs in the online marketing industry.
And to state the facts, the statement does have its fair share of truth, since many of the prominent networking sites do have the tendency of asking personal questions, which unsuspecting users willingly answer, clearly not knowing the extent to which data and identity theft have evolved, and the adve1 `rse effects of the same. And we agree with the same, since a majority of the social networks do not warn new as well as existing users of the possible chances of the above-mentioned crime in a noticeable way.
Yes, the above possibility does exist in the long list of terms and conditions before joining, but that is clearly not enough to grab the attention of a new user who is probably joining a network just to interact with friends and family, and is oblivious of the damage that can be caused if his identity is stolen in the form of stolen phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and possible clues to important passwords. Our simple word to social networks in this regard would be that there should be a few short sentences that explain the situation to both, existing (by the means of mass e-mailing) and new (by the means of an extra step in the registration process) users in a simple manner. Should they like to read further, a detailed description with all the legal details might be provided, but it is most important to convey the desired information to prevent such incidences from happening again?
And to state the facts, the statement does have its fair share of truth, since many of the prominent networking sites do have the tendency of asking personal questions, which unsuspecting users willingly answer, clearly not knowing the extent to which data and identity theft have evolved, and the adve1 `rse effects of the same. And we agree with the same, since a majority of the social networks do not warn new as well as existing users of the possible chances of the above-mentioned crime in a noticeable way.
Yes, the above possibility does exist in the long list of terms and conditions before joining, but that is clearly not enough to grab the attention of a new user who is probably joining a network just to interact with friends and family, and is oblivious of the damage that can be caused if his identity is stolen in the form of stolen phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and possible clues to important passwords. Our simple word to social networks in this regard would be that there should be a few short sentences that explain the situation to both, existing (by the means of mass e-mailing) and new (by the means of an extra step in the registration process) users in a simple manner. Should they like to read further, a detailed description with all the legal details might be provided, but it is most important to convey the desired information to prevent such incidences from happening again?
