Your Comments: Facebook faceoff

Facebook was the catalyst for two big Canadian news stories this week, as the popular social networking site continues to ignite debate about privacy issues online.

Last week CBC News reported on a Quebec woman fighting to have her benefits reinstated after her employer's insurance company cut them because, she claims, of photos posted on Facebook.

Nathalie Blanchard, 29, has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Que., for the last 18 months after she was diagnosed with major depression.

She said her insurance agent described several pictures Blanchard had posted on the site as evidence that she is no longer depressed.

The story sparked a great deal of reaction among CBCNews.ca readers, with more than 600 commenting on the story.

While sympathies were divided, most agreed that protecting personal information online is increasingly important in the digital age.

No social media is the best social media

insertnamehere99 says: Posting your personal life on the internet isn't the same as keeping pictures in photo albums under the coffee table. That's what people don't seem to get. I would put little confidence in the privacy measures put in place on these sites. You just simply don't know what certain parties are up to. Better to protect yourself. There are people out there who can and will subvert security measures. Everyone I know who has Facebook feels trapped by it but can't bring themselves to delete their account. Same as the people who never sign into MSN messenger because they'll be bombarded by IMs from their 'friends' as soon as they appear online. Sounds like a blast, don't know why I haven't signed up yet.

IrishMomma says: I have never posted anything as I am not on Facebook as I can embarass myself just fine in person.

Common sense should prevail

come-on-now says: No, ive never regretted it. Im not stupid enough to put pictures up that could get me into trouble. Furthermore, anything on the internet is pretty much upfor grabs now a days. Its a risk you take. Worried about? Dont post, or dont get an account.

arifsaha.com says: Generally I regard what I shared in Facebook as open to public, not simply sharing among a small circle. So anything I won't put in my public homepage, I won't share in Facebook either. In the other hand, Facebook have other tools to allow sharing in a more limited fashion, such as Message and Chat, but also Notes, Photos, Videos, etc. allow you to limit the access, fine grained to specific "friends" if necessary, as long as you don't "share" this, the access will stay limited. Still need to be careful though, since I am not sure whether
the "friends" I give access to the specific material can or cannot re-share this with others outside the access limit.

Politicking online

Facebook was also at the heart of a very different story making waves last week. In a note published on her Facebook page and subsequently circulated among party members, former Liberal leader Stephane Dion's wife Janine Krieber wrote Friday that the party was in full collapse and the future appeared bleak.

Her criticism circulated rapidly online and ruffled feathers within the Liberal party camp.

Technology expert Carmi Levy says recent incidents like these involving Facebook postings should serve as a reminder that nothing is truly private on the net.

What do you think about privacy online? Do you use social networking sites such as Facebook
and Twitter? Do you feel protected?

Share your tips on maintaining privacy on the web.