How technology invaded my personal space
WE are always warned to be careful what we share on the Internet and from our phones, as nothing released in cyberspace can be erased simply with a delete button. And many women who have been burned can attest to the fact that lives can be ruined, simply by sharing a photo even phone-to-phone.
Sometimes as consumers we purchase devices without knowing their full capabilities, or we consent to apps using or backing up our information without realising where the information is stored. A simple phone back-up, for example, can send all photos on the instrument to your e-mail and your public profile, if you haven’t taken time to read the fine print. The women below share some of the ways they’ve been burned by technology; and it’s a warning for those who are quick to click and post.
Kimberley, 24:
When I was dating this guy I used to send pictures of myself to him. Big mistake! Never assume that the person you are sending something to is the only recipient. We are no longer together but his friends and their friends still have pictures of me , pictures which I thought I had shared privately with him. Without my consent he sent out my pictures to his friends. There is not a day that goes by that some random guy says something to me, and immediately my mind goes back to that very incident.
Ashley, 22:
I use have my laptop open even when I wasn’t using it. Little did I know that the webcam could be activated remotely. One unscrupulous individual did just that; he invaded my private space without me even knowing. When not in use, ladies, ensure that the cameras attached to your devices are off, that’s the only way to be safe.
Natalie, 28:
I had just upgraded to a smartphone and so I wasn’t so familiar with the settings. At the time I was considering leaving my current boyfriend and I was seeing a few other men on the side. One time I went out with another guy and I lied to my boyfriend about where I was going. Anyway, somehow when I signed in to my social media account I must have selected something to show my current location on a map. When I got home that evening how could I explain to my boyfriend that I was at a restaurant when I was supposed to be at my sister’s house?
Audrey, 30:
I had a disagreement with one of my girlfriends. She believed so much that she was right that she recorded all our conversations secretly with her cell phone. She then forwarded these recordings to our mutual friend who, upon hearing the recordings, immediately sided with her. Though I did make the statements, what I said was taken out of context. But that still doesn’t change the fact that I have since lost two best friends over this incident.
Camila, 28:
Once I uploaded a photo as my profile pic. It was a bit racy I admit it but in the heat of the moment I thought, why not. Within five minutes I got some comments from friends that made me a bit uncomfortable. So I decided to take down the picture. My mistake was thinking that because I took it down it no longer existed. But the Internet never forgets, so just be more mindful when you upload photos of yourself. In the short period I had the photo up, many people saved it and sent it out to their contacts.
