Safe Internet Alliance

Mike Leskes, of KJIL radio, interviewed Safe Internet Alliance's president Linda Criddle on the potential risks of using social networking sites and online classified ads. Mike raised particular concern over the shifting Privacy Policies and Terms and Conditions of Facebook whose multiple changes in just the last 5 months have reset consumers privacy settings to public, and announced they will be selling users information to 3rd parties, and asked what consumers should do to protect themselves in these situations. Linda acknowledged the difficulty in using products safely when the very elements in place to protect privacy are changed without advance notice, and recommended that consumers assume any information posted will be seen publicly. Criddle then outlined the work the Safe Internet Alliance is undertaking to work with leading industry players to set a standard for respecting internet users rights to privacy and safety that can be adopted by responsible companies.  Shifting topics, Mike asked how, in the aftermath of the Craigslist murder, consumers can better protect themselves on classified sites, and Linda underscored the need to remain anonymous throughout the transaction, to meet in a busy public place with items to sell, or to purchase, and to always have someone with you as support. For more information on safely using classified sites, Linda recommended listeners check out the articles Murder of Craigslist Seller Highlights Need for Safety Precautions on Safeinternet.org.