Opting Out (Of Facebook) Is Not An (Easy) Option

Thinking about opting out of Facebook? Well, you’re gonna have to do better than that. Opting out of digital tracking — people collecting your data — is not an option.

From what I can tell, Cambridge Analytica did NOT steal data. They just took advantage of what Facebook allowed them to do. Let that sink in.

To participate in the digital world, you need to know:

• if it’s free, *YOU* are the product — you’re paying with your data
• the predominant monetization model is clicks, so the incentive for ALL parties in digital media is to get you to click something
• Internet companies do NOT have your best interests at heart. They are not out to screw you, but they care about making money, first and foremost
• Nobody knows how to safeguard your data. NOBODY. Not the financial services companies who should know better, and certainly not the digital entrepreneurs who go to great lengths to lure you into their worlds

Opting out of Facebook is an option, but it’s not the solution. They are one of MANY companies collecting your data.

Being an informed digital citizen is your best defense.