Even even more on social networking – Privacy Matters

Basically all the social networking sites own the data that you post on to the sites. Facebook is probably the worst as you can’t even delete the information from their servers permanently. Youtube does it, and especially Google does it. (Just read the licence agreement if you have gmail account). Who knows what they are doing with your information other than using it for advertising purposes.

Something to Hide is a movement that fights against this sort of data mining.

“Our society is driven by an obsession with gathering personal data. Politicians and businesses say it’s for our own good, and we collaborate by filling in countless databases with our personal details on Hyves, Facebook, YouTube and our local supermarket. But what if we can’t trust those who have access to this data? In that instance, all usual means of communication become useless. We will not be able to mail, call, sms, etc.. So, what if we have something to hide?
For several months, students of the post-graduate design department of the Sandberg Institute have taken refuge in an age-old communications medium, and exchanged messages about their ’secret’ actions addressing privacy in the city – by pigeon post. During ExperimentaDesign Amsterdam 2008, the project continues at a pigeon house built for this occasion, which doubles as a billboard and a place for debate. At night, the billboard will be used as projection screen for showing films and documentaries on privacy issues. Meanwhile the students will carry on with their public action in town.
More information: www.pigeonproject.net ”