Facebook privacy: be careful what you share

How much do you share online? The often terrifying results when doing a Google search on yourself or a close friend is testament to the amount the internet knows about us. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter are only adding to the veritable life story that some people are putting online. Now a clever new Facebook application is attempting to make people aware of exactly what they're doing...

Facebook applications, or apps, require permission to access certain information on a user profile in order to work. Some apps will ask for access to every corner of a user profile. Unwittingly and without paying attention most people will allow this application such permissions. They will do this without thinking about all the personal information this will let it see.

Put it this way; you wouldn't cover the front of your house with your name, date of birth, birthplace, marital status, names of family members and a collection of hundreds of photos. So, why do it on the internet?

A new website called Take This Lollipop looks to change people's views on sharing information online. We won't give away too much here, but click the link below and grant the application permission to access your profile to see the rather disconcerting results.

Link: Take This Lollipop

A quick warning; the app may not be suitable for children under 12.