Monday, March 7, 2011

What Not To Post On Twitter: 11 Things Your Tweeps Don't Need To Know

Think before you tweet.

Twitter is a powerful communication tool used by the likes of protesters, journalists, astronauts and public officials. But tweeters should take caution: the microblogging service is also frequented by employers,insurance companies, law enforcement agents, even criminals. And as search engines like Google and Bingtake steps to further integrate Twitter updates into query results, it's more important than ever to watch what you tweet.



Given the platform's simplicity and 140-character limit, it can be tempting to dash off Twitter updates without pausing to consider the impact they can have. Experts agree that users should take a moment before tweeting. Especially if your tweets are public, that moment of reconsideration could save you your job, your personal safety or your reputation.


Examples:

Confessionals, Office Gossip

If you're angry at your boss or playing hookey from work, you probably shouldn't tweet about it. Furthermore, warns Amber Yoo of PrivacyRights.org, tweeting your opinions about work-related topics can lead to trouble in-office. "Unless they are glowing, don't Tweet opinions about your company, clients, products and services. Employers are increasingly monitoring employee conduct on Twitter," says Yoo. "A tweet could cost you your job if you aren't careful."

Intimate Personal Information

Details from your personal history are best left out of your Twitter feed. You can put yourself at risk for identity theft by revealing your birth date and place, your social security number, your maiden name or your mother's maiden name.

Twitter also advises users to be wary of phishing schemes. "People are not always who they claim to be on their Twitter profile and you should be wary of any communication that asks for your private contact information, personal information, or passwords," according to the Twitter Help Center.

Exact Locations

Twitter's geolocation tool can help you broadcast your location without squandering precious text space. However, geotags could potentially be used by stalkers to secretly track someone's location. The good news is that you can turn this tool off at any time.

Vacation Time-frames

Burglars have admitted to using social networks to plan home invasions. If you share a public tweet saying that you'll be on vacation for a week, you're also telling your followers that you've left your home untended.

Daily Routines

"Be careful not to share your daily routine," says Amber Yoo ofPrivacyRights.org. "Tweeting about walking to work, where you go on your lunch break, or when you head home is risky because it may allow a criminal to track you."

Your Kids' Names And Routines

Children can be easy targets for online predators and identity thieves. You can keep your kids safe by leaving their names out of your Twitter feeds and refraining from tweeting about where you pick them up or drop them off every day.

High-Risk Activities

Insurance companies have been known to check Twitter when investigating compensation claims and may even look to social media when assessing a customer's risks. Tweeting about frequent climbing trips, for example, could result in a premiums hike. If you've filed for disability compensation, your insurance company could search for your tweets about high-risk activities and use them to supplement a fraud case against you.

Personal Attacks On Other Users

The Twitter Help Center advises users not to engage with bullies:

You may encounter people on Twitter who you don't like or who say things that you disagree with or find offensive. Please remain courteous, even if the other people are not. Retaliation can reinforce bad behavior and only encourages bullies. Don't forward or retweet bullying or mean messages. Remember that the things you say can be very hurtful to other people. Don't turn into a bully yourself.

Geo-tagged Photos

It's a risky move to tweet photos that show what you look like and what your home looks like. Including geotags with these types of photos could put you at risk. Moreover, some smartphones automatically embed geolocation data into your photos, and you may not realize how much private data you're revealing with a simple snapshot. According to PrivacyRights.org, "Your real-time location may indicate your home and work addresses, your commuting patterns, what religious institution you visit, how often you go to a doctor, political rallies you attend or whether you are seeking the advice of a lawyer."

Racy Or Inappropriate Photos

"Employers routinely check out Twitter prior to hiring an individual, and have referenced social networking as helping them make choices on future employees," says Reputation.com founder Michael Fertik. "Use better than average common sense when uploading photos to Twitter - if you wouldn't want your boss or grandmother to see it, it's probably a good idea to hold tight and keep it offline."

Every Detail Of Your Life

Some Twitterers annoy other users by tweeting constantly. Sifting through minutiae on Twitter can be a chore. "It gets annoying and takes space and attention away from other Twitterers' links and observations," writes PCWorld. "If you have that much to say, maybe it belongs on a blog."


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