Cebu legislators urge public using social networking sites to protect privacy

CEBU CITY, Feb. 9 (PNA) -- Here's a piece of advice from the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) to those hooked on social networking sites: When posting “tweets” or shout-outs, always think of your privacy first.

The PB advised users of social networking sites, like Facebook, Friendster, MySpace and Twitter, to make sure what they post does not endanger their lives or erode their privacy.

“Privacy has also been an issue in these social networking websites and it has been compromised several times,” said the PB resolution penned by Member Juan Bolo.

It also advised that messages and pictures should not be too personal to prevent kidnapping and stalking.

“Many people patronize this new trend and they tend to put all information about themselves like their complete name, current address and jobs and many of their personal pictures that show their residence and even where they usually go,” the resolution read.

That information could easily go to people with bad intentions, he warned, like kidnappers or stalkers.

“Observing Internet privacy means protecting themselves and keeping their family from harm’s way,” Bolo said.

Worse, certain messages could lead to arrest.

In a separate resolution, Bolo narrated the arrest of Paul Chambers in the United Kingdom. He was supposed to fly from England to Ireland last month when heavy snowfall canceled his flight.

Out of frustration, he vented in his Twitter account that he would blow up the airport. It was a joke, but authorities didn’t find it funny and arrested Chambers on suspicion of terrorism.

“Global social networking websites have their perks like keeping in touch with friends, but we must also use these wisely so as not to endanger and jeopardize our lives,” read the PB resolution.

This is not the first time social networking sites have attracted the Capitol lawmakers’ attention.

In September last year, PB Member Jose Ma. Gastardo had objected to what he considered unfair comments by PB Member Victoria Corominas on her Facebook account.

The comments, which were circulated by email by some of Corominas’ Facebook contacts, focused on the board’s investigation of the province’s P99-million purchase of the Balili resort property in the City of Naga.

Corominas had said her comments were not directed at any member of the board and that she would not apologize for what she wrote. (PNA)
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