Online Relationships: More than a ‘Friend’ Button

G Nithish Kumar
6 min readNov 16, 2023

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In the vast and interconnected realm of social media, each click, like, and share contributes to the creation of a digital portrait—an intricate tapestry known as social profiling. This phenomenon, while offering valuable insights for businesses and researchers, casts a shadow over ethical considerations and security concerns. As we navigate this digital landscape, let’s explore how social profiling works, its implications, historical echoes, global implementations, and the evolving tools in this landscape.

Social Profiling Map

The Mechanics of Social Profiling

At its core, social profiling involves the collection and analysis of information from an individual’s social media activities. This includes posts, likes, shares, comments, and various interactions across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The amalgamation of data from these diverse sources creates a comprehensive overview of a person’s habits, interests, beliefs, and relationships. Algorithms and analytic tools then come into play, identifying patterns and preferences to craft a detailed digital persona.

Unveiling the Dangers: Privacy Invasion and Misuse

While social profiling can unlock a treasure trove of information, it also raises ethical red flags. The proliferation of personal data through social media platforms exposes individuals to potential privacy invasions. Data breaches and misuse pose significant threats, as detailed profiles can fall into the wrong hands, leading to identity theft or other malicious activities. The potential for misrepresentation, the formation of echo chambers, and the specter of discrimination further compound these concerns.

Social Media Profiling Through a Historical Lens

In 1890, Samuel D. Warren II and Louis Brandeis penned an influential Harvard Law Review article titled “The Right to Privacy.” This groundbreaking work marked the beginning of a legal conversation around the protection of an individual’s privacy rights. Warren and Brandeis voiced worries in their paper over the possible harm brought about by the disclosure and misuse of personal data, particularly in light of developing technology and invasive media.Fast-forward to the digital age, and these concerns have not only persisted but intensified. The advent of social media has transformed the landscape of personal information sharing. The intricate dance between information access control, privacy issues, and social connections has become a central theme in discussions about digital ethics.

The influence of technology on society

1. Information Access Control:

In the digital age, individuals share an unprecedented amount of personal information on various online platforms. Social media, in particular, acts as a conduit for this sharing. However, the control users have over their information is often oversimplified. The settings provided by most social media platforms typically offer binary options, such as “friends” or “not friends.” This oversimplification raises concerns about the granularity and precision of information access control.

The simplistic nature of access controls means that users often face challenges in managing the diverse facets of their social connections. For instance, individuals may have different levels of intimacy or professional relationships, yet current social media settings lack the sophistication to reflect this nuance adequately. As a result, users may find themselves sharing information with a broad category of “friends” when, in reality, they might prefer a more selective approach based on the context of their relationships.

2. Privacy Issues:

Privacy concerns in the digital age extend beyond the basic concepts of information access control. The very nature of social media platforms encourages users to share intimate details of their lives, creating a treasure trove of personal data. The potential for this data to be misused, whether through third-party data breaches, algorithmic exploitation, or unintended consequences, underscores the importance of robust privacy safeguards.

In the context of social profiling, the information users share on platforms can be aggregated, analyzed, and used to create comprehensive digital personas. This process, while potentially beneficial for targeted advertising and content recommendations, raises ethical questions about the extent to which individuals are aware of and consent to the use of their data. The imbalance of power between users and platform operators in controlling and benefiting from this data further complicates the privacy landscape.

3. Social Connections:

The foundation of social media revolves around connections and relationships. However, the current categorization of relationships into simplistic terms like “friends” does not adequately capture the complexity of human connections. In reality, individuals have a diverse array of relationships, including family, close friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and more.

The lack of nuanced relationship categories on social media platforms becomes a focal point in the broader discussion of digital privacy. Users may share personal details with a wide range of connections without the ability to differentiate between the levels of trust or intimacy within these connections. This oversimplification can inadvertently expose individuals to privacy risks, as personal information may be accessible to a broader audience than intended.In navigating the intricate dance between information access control, privacy issues, and social connections, there is a growing recognition of the need for more sophisticated and user-centric approaches. As technology continues to advance, the dialogue around digital ethics and privacy must evolve to address the nuanced challenges posed by the interconnected nature of the online world. Sustaining individual privacy while reaping the rewards of social connection necessitates constant debates, technological advancements, and a dedication to giving individuals more agency over their online identities.

China’s Ambitious Social Credit System

China’s Social Credit System in 2021

A striking example of social profiling on a national scale is China’s “social credit system.” Envisioned as a comprehensive score reflecting economic creditworthiness, political behavior, and social conduct, it relies on big data and advanced profiling technology. This system, while aiming to enhance trust and accountability, sparks controversy due to its potential to distill the complexity of an individual into a single, overarching score. The unknowns surrounding the system, coupled with its far-reaching implications, contribute to ongoing debates.

Klout and Beyond: Assessing Social Influence

Within the landscape of social influence assessment, Klout emerges as a prominent player. This online tool generates a score between 1 and 100, evaluating a user’s impact across various platforms. The Klout Score, while initially a novel approach to quantifying influence, raises questions about biases and potential misuse. Studies indicate that Klout scores can influence people’s perceived credibility, leading to their incorporation in areas such as the recruitment process. However, controversies persist, highlighting the need for critical evaluation of such scoring systems.

Exploring Beyond Klout: Kred, Follower Wonk, and Keyhole

Beyond Klout, an array of tools contributes to the dynamic landscape of social profiling. Kred, with its emphasis on measuring online influence, provides an alternative perspective. Follower Wonk dives into Twitter analytics, offering insights into followers and engagement. Keyhole, with its focus on real-time hashtag tracking, adds another layer to the narrative. Each tool, in its own unique way, contributes to the ongoing evolution of social profiling, shaping how individuals are perceived in the digital space.

Conclusion:

Navigating the Complex Web of Social Profiling

In conclusion, social profiling is a multifaceted phenomenon, weaving together the threads of our digital existence. It holds promise for businesses, researchers, and individuals seeking to understand and navigate the intricacies of the online world. Yet, this promise comes with a caveat: a need for responsible practices, robust privacy measures, and ongoing discussions about the ethical implications of profiling individuals based on their digital footprint. As we continue to immerse ourselves in the digital age, the tale of social profiling unfolds, urging us to tread carefully and consciously in this complex web of interconnected data.

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G Nithish Kumar
G Nithish Kumar

Written by G Nithish Kumar

Enthusiastic person and quick learner. Love to dig into client problems and solve them with modern technology .

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