Podcast Summary
Expanding your candidate pool with LinkedIn: Businesses can find potential candidates on LinkedIn, even if they're not actively seeking new jobs. Over 70% of LinkedIn users visit the platform monthly, making it a valuable resource for recruitment.
Businesses could be missing out on a large pool of potential candidates by not utilizing LinkedIn for hiring. Sandra, a professional looking for work, emphasized that many professionals, including herself, are not actively seeking new jobs but might still be open to the right opportunity. LinkedIn has over 70% of its users visiting the platform monthly, making it a valuable resource for finding professionals who might not be found on other job sites. Meanwhile, in a different context, Matilda Davies, a data journalist, explored the extent of data collection by tech companies, specifically Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. She discovered that her daily activities, from setting her alarm to buying a birthday card, were recorded by Facebook. With over 70% of the UK population using Meta's platforms at least once a month, the amount of data being collected is significant. These two stories highlight the importance of being aware of the potential opportunities and risks that come with technology use. For businesses, using LinkedIn can expand their candidate pool, while individuals should be mindful of the data being collected about them.
Facebook's early days: Sharing personal lives without privacy concerns: The Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted the importance of being cautious about data shared on social media, even unintentionally, and the potential consequences of targeted advertising based on personal data.
The early days of social media use, specifically Facebook, were marked by a lack of awareness regarding privacy concerns and the extent to which platforms collected personal data. Users, including the speaker, began using Facebook at a young age, around 11, despite the minimum age being 13. Social media became the primary means of communication, and users shared significant parts of their personal lives. However, in 2013, Cambridge Analytica began taking personal data from Facebook users without their consent to create targeted political advertisements. This came to light in 2018, and the revelation that the firm had targeted specific demographics with tailored messages raised serious concerns about privacy and data security. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the data being collected and shared on social media platforms.
Facebook's Data Collection and Use Scandal: The Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted the power of social media companies to collect and use personal data, influencing behaviors, but individuals have a right to access their data under data protection laws, but understanding it can be complex.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed how social media companies like Facebook can collect and use personal data to target advertisements, potentially influencing people's behaviors in insidious ways. Despite the scandal and subsequent fines for Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, people continued to use these platforms due to their widespread use and importance in modern life. Meta, the new name for Facebook, continued to grow and expand, acquiring companies like Instagram and WhatsApp and delving into technologies like VR and AI. When it comes to accessing one's own data, individuals have a legal right to request it from companies under data protection laws like GDPR. However, the process of obtaining and understanding this data can be daunting, as it can consist of thousands of HTML files containing personal information. In the case of one journalist, it took 2 data journalists a full week and over 70 lines of code to make sense of the data. This data included not only information directly related to the user's Facebook account, but also information from websites that the user thought were unrelated.
LinkedIn and Blue Nile offer unique value in their respective domains: Utilize LinkedIn for hiring professionals and Blue Nile for thoughtful, high-quality gifts. Be aware of data privacy implications when using digital platforms.
Both LinkedIn and Blue Nile offer unique value in their respective domains. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for hiring professionals, even those not actively seeking new opportunities. With over 70% of LinkedIn users not visiting other job sites monthly, it's essential to look in the right place. Blue Nile, on the other hand, is an excellent resource for finding thoughtful, high-quality gifts, especially for Mother's Day. Meanwhile, the discussion also shed light on the extent of data collection by companies like Meta. Users might be unaware that their daily activities, including alarm clock apps, health data, and even banking information, are being shared with Meta, often without explicit consent. The conversation underscored the importance of being vigilant about data privacy and the potential implications of agreeing to lengthy privacy policies. In summary, the conversation highlighted the benefits of utilizing LinkedIn and Blue Nile, while also emphasizing the need for awareness and caution regarding data privacy.
Unintentional data tracking through Meta pixels: Users agree to Meta tracking their online activities through pixels embedded on websites, often unknowingly, providing valuable insights to companies.
While using social media platforms like Facebook, users unknowingly agree to Meta owning their data and being tracked across various websites. This tracking happens through Meta pixels, which are lines of code embedded on websites that record users' activities and send the information to Meta. Users often unknowingly consent to this tracking when signing up for services or blindly accepting cookie pop-ups. The process is complicated, and most users don't fully understand the implications. Companies benefit from this tracking as they receive valuable insights into their user demographics. It's crucial for users to be aware of this and make informed decisions about their online privacy.
Online activities tracked for ad targeting: Meta collects browsing and location data for ad targeting, selling it to advertisers for effective audience reach. Be aware of data privacy and adjust settings to limit collection.
Our online activities are being tracked and used by various companies, including Meta (Facebook), for creating audience groups and selling advertising. Meta collects vast amounts of data from our browsing and location activities, which helps them understand different groups of people and their online behaviors. This data is then sold to advertisers, allowing them to target specific audiences effectively. While this can result in relevant advertising, it can also feel invasive when personal information is used without consent. If you're concerned about your data privacy, consider taking steps such as adjusting privacy settings on social media platforms and using ad blockers or privacy-focused browsers to limit data collection. Additionally, being mindful of the information you share online and being cautious about clicking on targeted ads can help minimize the amount of data being collected about you.
Individuals have control over their data collection: Users can limit data collection by adjusting settings and using privacy tools, but companies may still have significant access to personal information
Individuals have the power to limit the amount of data Meta (Facebook) collects by adjusting their privacy settings and using privacy-focused browsers and search engines. The discussion highlighted the concerns around Meta's privacy practices, with some feeling that despite recent privacy laws, companies like Meta have more access to personal data than ever before. Meta assured that they require explicit consent from advertisers and filter out sensitive data, but the investigation conducted by Matilda revealed that a significant amount of personal data was being held. Matilda was shocked by the extent of her data being collected and has since changed her online habits, including removing permissions and rejecting cookies when browsing the web. It's important for users to be aware of what data they are sharing and to take steps to protect their privacy. Organizations and charities are working to address privacy concerns, but the challenge lies in taking on tech giants with limited resources. The ICO in the UK is working to ensure people understand what they're giving away when they click "accept cookies" and that websites are being honest about data usage.
Discussing privacy, health insurance, and special moments: Stay informed about data usage, protect privacy with plugins, cherish life's moments, and secure quality health insurance
In today's digital age, privacy concerns are at an all-time high, and individuals are taking measures to protect their data. Matilda Davies, who was featured in this episode, is one such person who uses plugins to safeguard her privacy. The discussion also highlighted the importance of staying informed about data usage and having access to quality health insurance. The episode also marked a change in the format of the podcast, with the host promising more original reporting and investigations. Sponsors UnitedHealth Care and 1800flowers.com were introduced, with the former offering flexible and budget-friendly health insurance plans, and the latter being a one-stop-shop for gift-giving, emphasizing the importance of celebrating life's special moments. As technology continues to evolve, some things remain constant, such as the need for health insurance. The episode serves as a reminder to stay informed, protect our privacy, and cherish the moments that truly matter. To learn more about the topics discussed, subscribe to the Times and read the full investigation online. And don't forget to share your thoughts and suggestions for future podcast episodes at thestory@thetimes.co.uk.
