Have you ever wondered how advertisements that appear on your computer screen are always relevant to you?  

“Think twice before you speak” were the wise words of our parents.  Anything that comes out of our mouths cannot be taken back.  Now, most of our communication happens through some sort of social media platform, like Twitter or Facebook, the wise words should be “Think twice before you [Tweet].”  In the same way, the content that gets published on social media cannot be taken back.

Along with that, companies have access to all the information that we post on platforms, one such as Facebook.  Users privacy is violated.  This violation of privacy can be due to various factors.  (i)Users are aware of what businesses can do with their information and don’t care, (ii) users are unaware of the power of social media platforms, or (iii) they are aware, but are simply helpless.  I believe that many people are aware that content, either in text or photos exposed on social media platforms are useful data that help generate revenue for companies.  It makes it easier for companies to understand their target market, thus, catering their marketing strategies in ways that appeals to them.  The data that is generated from social media platforms are powerful and if left in the hands of potentially unethical companies can be dangerous to some extent.  The consent and privacy of consumers are not taken into account.  Today, the only solution is to control what we, as users post, share, and like on social media platforms to protect ourselves and the ones around us.  Even more, what websites we visit, each click we make are all tracked and remembered. So, they can come back and get at you later, the ads and promotions that cater just to you.

The Tweeting Bra is an excellent example of the extent that companies have gone to take advantage of the power of social media and invade the privacy of individuals.  A company in Germany designed this pink bra to supposedly generate awareness of breast cancer, reminding women to get breast examinations.   However, the idea of an automatic tweet every time a woman takes off her bra is not a practical way to remind women to see a doctor.

Social media platforms are like friends you wish you never met. They know so much about you and take advantage of it.  Sometimes just wishing you could knock them to coma and start over on a blank slate (and think twice before [tweeting]).