Social media users 'must be responsible for own privacy'

15:00 10th May 2010

Social media website users have been told that it is their own responsibility to look after their privacy while browsing the internet.

Almost a quarter of Facebook users either do not know about the privacy controls offered by the social networking site or have decided not to use them, according to a report by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

The survey also found that more than half of internet users have posted risky personal information onto sites on the internet, while a quarter of adult Facebook users have added pictures of their children to their profiles.

However, co-founder and editor at the Social Media Portal Tim Gibbon stated that it is up to users of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to ensure their privacy is protected.

He said: "Ultimately, users need to be vigilant and protect their online privacy as much as they are able to and not rely upon corporations or governments to take sole responsibility."

The Electronic Frontier Foundation stated that social media users should not reply to spam e-mails or reveal personal information to people they have met over the internet.

It also said internet users should use encryption, as well as keep a "clean" e-mail address.

Mr Gibbon added: "We all need to have a common sense approach when using the internet."