Having an online identity is something that in this current time is hard not to have. Everyone is either trying to carve out their place on a digital level or trying to shield themselves from the online world as much as they possibly can. By having so many online identities it then becomes a chore to manage them all properly and really know where all that information is going.

Personal and professional lines can be blurred as who you are online can impact who you are in the real world. It is important to keep on top of these digital identities and manage them in a way that is best reflective of who you are. The Australian Communications and Media Authority provide helpful strategies on how you can look at your identities and take control of them. Once you think of who the information is intended for and what the data will be keep or discarded you will have a better understanding on how you can safeguard your information (ACMA, 2017, para.10). A key factor is knowing how to protect your digital identity.

For a business in today’s climate it is important that they are transparent with how they are using your information. As the world today is so interconnected you don’t know who has access to the information you put online. Data breaches can happen easily, which is something Google has found out. At least 50,000 user information was exposed to external developers and at the time the breach was not communicated to the people (Sveen, 2018, para.2). This has major ramifications when it comes to client/business interactions and trust. What is important is that when people are giving over this information that it is being treated with respect and if something does happen then it be communicated with the patrons.

To share or not to share that is the question when it comes to our online identities. It is such a fine line as the online world is vastly unknown. Where is it going, who is accessing it, will it disappear after time are all questions that arise when it comes to our information. The only way to fully protect yourself is with the right knowledge and a great website to help you navigate that is Me and My Shadow which allows you to learn the best strategies in how you can protect your data.

References

Australian Communications and Media Authority. (2017). Who are you online? Retrieved from https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/Library/researchacma/Research-reports/digital-footprints-short-report-landing

Sveen, B. (2018). Google+ social media service to shut down after private data of at least 500,000 users exposed. ABC News. Retrieved from https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-09/google-social-media-service-shut-down-after-privacy-issue/10354918?pfmredir=sm&sf199623527=1